Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif believes that India will lose the World Cup 2023 at home if premier fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah is not fit. He added that India does not have the resources to field two teams as they lack options in the bowling department. Bumrah has not played since September 2022. He had a back surgery earlier this year and has been recuperating for the past few months. In a ray of hope for India, he has been appointed captain for the upcoming T20s series in Ireland, which will be played later this month. Sharing his views on the importance of Bumrah for the team, Kaif said that India will struggle in the World Cup without the fast bowler.
“The players who are injured, India’s chances in the World Cup will depend a lot on that (their comeback). Bumrah is coming now after a long injury lay off and we will get an idea on how fit he is. India need a fully fit Bumrah to do well in World Cup at home,” he was quoted as saying in a PTI report during the launch of Amrit Mathur’s book ‘Pitchside’ on Wednesday, August 2.
“In the bowling department, you can’t have two teams. If Bumrah doesn’t play, we will lose, like we did in Asia Cup T20 and 2022 T20 World Cup. We don’t have his back-up,” the former player added.
VIDEO | "At the moment, the Indian Team is not looking the strongest on paper as it is missing key players, including KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and the biggest factor is Jasprit Bumrah," says @MohammadKaif. pic.twitter.com/IFAacyXj0s
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 2, 2023
In the absence of Jaspreet Bumrah, India raeched the semi finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup. However they struggled in the knockout match against England and lost by Ten wickets.
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The Team Is Not Looking the Strongest on Paper – Kaif on India’s Injury List
Apart from Jaspreet Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant are also on the injury list. Mohammad Kaif admit that things are not looking great for India due to fitness issues.
“At the moment, the team is not looking the strongest on paper, as it is missing key players including K L Rahul, Pant, Iyer, and the biggest factor is Bumrah,” the former batter said.
