Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel believes Mohammed Siraj will make way for Jasprit Bumrah for the T20 World Cup clash against Namibia if the latter is fit to play. Bumrah missed the opening game as he was down with fever but returned to training ahead of the match against Namibia.
On the other hand, Siraj returned with impressive figures of 3-29 in his quota of four overs against the USA. Siraj was making a comeback after 19 months but he was able to hit the ground running.
Meanwhile, Bumrah is India’s premier fast bowler and he would look to be at his best after a mundane series against New Zealand.
“In place of Mohammed Siraj. Obviously, Siraj had a good game, but I thought our main game plan was Jasprit Bumrah in this playing XI. It’s good that Mohammed Siraj got an opportunity. He did really well. So if something happens to any Indian seamer, we don’t wish that anything happens, Mohammed Siraj will be ready. But he will make way for Jasprit Bumrah if he (Bumrah) is fit,” Parthiv Patel said on Star Sports.
Patel downplayed the suggestion if India should play Kuldeep Yadav against Namibia and urged the team to back pacers.
“I am just going with proper seam options. You need that. Obviously, it was India’s game plan on sluggish wickets, but here, I am expecting a very good wicket at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. So I will still go with this philosophy of having two seamers,” Parthiv observed.
Parthiv Patel’s playing XI for Namibia clash: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.
Patel wants Rinku Singh to bat ahead of Shivam Dube and Axar Patel if India lose early wickets, like they did against the USA.
“He has done that for India in white-ball cricket. However, to me, if three wickets fall early or a situation like this comes again in this World Cup, I would prefer Rinku Singh to come ahead of Shivam Dube and Axar Patel because he is someone who can rotate the strike. He takes his time and then unleashes himself. So Rinku would be a better choice than Axar Patel or Shivam Dube if three wickets fall early,” he replied.
The Gujarat Titans assistant coach said 300 runs could be on the cards on a small ground like Delhi.
“It can happen. It is a high-scoring venue, without a doubt. Ya, 300 could happen. We want India to score this 300, but, for me, the first thing is to win the game, and win the game confidently,” Parthiv responded.
India will next take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Thursday.
