India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar is confident that India has the depth and balance in their side to reach to the semifinals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022 but he has also highlighted the major concern about the Indian side. Sachin feels that death overs can be critical to India’s performance in the upcoming marquee event.
Well, ever since Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament with injury, the Indian side has been stressing over who will fill his shoes to do the job of bowling two overs in the slog overs. Ahead of much-awaited India vs Pakistan, Sachin Tendulkar was asked about his views on Shami replacing Bumrah. Responding to which, Tendulkar backed Shami as he expressed that Shami will be able to fill in the big hole that Bumrah’s absence has created. He said:
“Shami is good. He is Bumrah’s correct replacement. If I look at Shami… he is a good strike bowler, has been around for a long time. He has the experience of having played big matches. He is someone I have enjoyed watching bowl. He is possibly the one (to fill Bumrah’s role), (though) I don’t want to comment on the playing XI,”
Well, for the unversed, last played in a T20I in the T20 World Cup 2021 against Namibia and ever since then, he hasn’t been a part of the squad. However, he made a stunning comeback as he produced a fiery, match-winning over to take his team over the line in the warm-up match against Australia in Brisbane on Monday. He picked up three wickets while giving away just four runs as India beat Australia by six runs at the Gabba.
Sachin also listed the grey areas where the Indian side needs to fill the gaps at the tournament. Speaking about which, he said: “Without any doubt, we will need to have good starts whether be it batting or bowling, in between we got to pick wickets and finish well. Bowling in the death overs will be critical.”
Sachin also talked about the importance of throwing ability should not be underestimated on the big grounds Down Under. He said:
“I don’t know how big the boundary lines are going to be. But for longish boundary lines (usually on grounds in Australia), athleticism and throwing ability is going to matter a lot. To be able to throw hard and get those important run outs can actually change the game.”
