Ravi Shastri picks two main and two back-up pacers for Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023

India star pacer Jasprit Bumrah marked his comeback in the ongoing Ireland tour. In addition, the pace ace will be seen in action on August 18 against Ireland after a gap of 11 months. Notably, the Mumbai Indians’ bowler sustained a back injury during the ODI series against Australia in September 2022, owing to which the right-arm pacer missed the Asia Cup 2022, T20 World Cup 2022, and World Test Championship Final earlier this year.

Notably, every individual is keen to see the 29-year-old cricketer’s lethal form in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. Meanwhile, speaking on the same subject, former India cricketer turned analyst Ravi Shastri has called Jasprit Bumrah one of the important pacers during the Asia Cup and World Cup, along with Mohammed Shami. In addition, the former India head coach also named Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur as the backup pacers in the major tournament. Moreover, the cricket commentator also emphasized the importance of all-rounders, especially Hardik Pandya.

If Jasprit Bumrah is fit, he walks in: Ravi Shastri

“So, now you start with the pacers because, for me, the pacers are important. If you need four over there, you already have one all-rounder (Pandya). So, if Bumrah is fit, he walks in. Shami walks in – that’s two. You’ve got Siraj as a backup, and if needed, Shardul can be there. Shardul has done well in the West Indies one-day game; he can be a backup. And then you have room for one more,” Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports.

Meanwhile, former India selector Sandeep Patil has totally agreed with Ravi Shastri’s picks and says that the all-rounders in the team give much variety, owing to which the Men in Blue clinched the World Cup in 1983.

“I will go with what Ravi said because I want to remember 1983. The combination we had, we had many all-rounders in the team, and having all-rounders in the team gives you so much variety, and you can choose anybody,” Sandeep Patil said as quoted by Hindustan Times.