New Delhi: Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar feels Jasprit Bumrah's absence is a big setback for Men in Blue in the T20 World Cup 2022 but Mohammed Shami can fill the void with his pace and skill. Bumrah has been ruled out of cricket for an indefinite period due to back pain. Shami, who has not played a single T20 International since the last World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, has been included as Bumrah's replacement in India's T20 World Cup squad.
The 32-year-old bowler on Monday made a dream return by defending 11 runs in the 20th over of India's warm-up match against Australia. Shami picked three wickets for just 4 runs in last over to ensure India defeat Australia by six runs.
"Bumrah not being there is a big loss and we obviously needed a strike bowler. An out and out genuine fast bowler, who could attack batters and get wickets. Shami has proven that and he seems a good replacement," Sachin Tendulkar told PTI in an exclusive interview.
The maestro seemed very impressed with young left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, who has shown a lot of heart in his short international career so far.
"Arshdeep has shown a lot of promise and he looks a balanced guy. And whatever I have seen of him, he looks a committed fellow because you can see a player, you can make out looking at his mindset," the legendary batter said.
For Tendulkar, committing to a specific plan is as important as devising one.
"What I really like is that if Arshdeep has a plan, he commits to it and that is really, really important in this format as batters are going out and playing those extra shots and some innovative ones. So if you have a plan, commit to it."
(With PTI Inputs)