Former England captain Michael Atherton has shared that India will certainly miss Jasprit Bumrah’s services at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. However, Atherton stated that the Men in Blue will plan their strategy well amid his absence by batting aggressively.
Bumrah will miss the multi-nation event Down Under due to a back injury, with Mohammed Shami replacing him as well. The right-arm pacer also missed the 2022 Asia Cup and his back injury was likely increased by playing two out of three T20Is against Australia.
As quoted by Sky Sports, Atherton stated:
“Bumrah will be a big miss for India but you can’t discount them with the strength of their batting and. I think they will be forced to go a bit harder with the bat in Bumrah’s absence. It should clear their mind and strategy.”
“Australia would have a strong chance on home turf” – Michael Atherton
However, the former England cricketer picked Australia as firm favourites and added that Tim David’s inclusion has made them even stronger as well.
“You must think Australia would have a strong chance on home turf and they look a bit stronger than last year. They are a more developed side and Tim David’s likely inclusion gives them a bit more power. Their players know the conditions and they tend to be quite difficult to beat at home so I expect them to give a good account of themselves. As hosts and defending champions, they are the side to beat,” Michael Atherton again shared.
While Australia are the hosts and defending champions, they have seen a lean patch build-up to the tournament. They lost the T20I series to England and the warm-up game to India as well.
Atherton also feels that Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi are players to watch out for in the upcoming mega event. And, the match between India and Pakistan on Sunday is going to be a cracking one.
“There are one or two big names missing unfortunately in Bumrah and one of my favourite players, West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer, who didn’t make his plane!
“The tournament could be a real springboard for Suryakumar and bowling-wise it is Shaheen. When he is steaming in with ball in hand and has plenty of support behind him, which there is sure to be in that opening game against India on Sunday, it is great theatre. There is no more thrilling sight in the game than a fast bowler looking to take wickets with the new ball,” Michael Atherton concluded.
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