The India cricket team’s squad of 15 for the T20 World Cup has been heavily debated.
The debates intensified after the team was hit by a spate of injuries, to some established names.
After star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament with a back injury.
Things got worse when Deepak Chahar, who was a capable replacement for Bumrah, also suffered an injury and is effectively out of contention.
As a result, India are left with only a handful of options.
They can go for the sheer experience of Mohammed Shami or opt for raw pace, by calling up Umran Malik or Mohammed Siraj.
While Shami is most likely to get the nod, Umran and Siraj have also travelled to Australia with the Indian team as net bowlers.
This means that the think tank is still not sure about its final eleven.
Umran Malik last played for India in Ireland back in June.
Siraj will enter the World Cup on the back of a ‘Player of the Series’ worthy performance against South Africa.
However, if it comes to selecting between the two, former Australia pacer Brett Lee backs Umran Malik.
“Umran Malik is bowling at 150 km per hour.”
“I mean when you have the best car in the world, and you leave it in the garage, then what’s the point of having that car? Umran Malik should have been picked in the Indian squad for the World Cup,” Lee said.
“Yes, he is young, yes, he is raw, but he bowls at 150 kmph, so get him in the team, get him to Australia where the ball flies through.”
“It’s different when you have a guy bowling at 140 kmph and a guy who is bowling at 150 kmph.”
However, chances of Umran playing appear slim.
He has featured in only three T20Is for India and the fact that he has been rested shows that the team management probably feels he still isn’t ready.
With Bumrah injured, which as per Lee is a ‘huge blow’, India require a pacer who can partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh.
A worrying trend is that the team’s death bowling hasn’t been effective and the bowlers are bleeding runs.
“The fact is that Jasprit Bumrah suffered the back injury, it’s huge blow to India’s chances. I am not saying they can’t do it.”, said Lee.
“They are a wonderful side, but a strong Indian side is the side that has Jasprit Bumrah. That would put pressure on guys like Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” added Lee.
