India's Pace Dilemma: Who Will Partner Jasprit Bumrah in T20 World Cup?

India's Pace Spearhead Dilemma: Who Will Partner Jasprit Bumrah?

As India prepares for their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Ireland, the team management faces a crucial decision: who will partner pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah? While the debate surrounding India's opener combination has dominated headlines, the choice of Bumrah's bowling partner is equally important.

Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath believes that Mitchell Starc and Bumrah will be the players to watch out for in the tournament. Australia boasts an experienced pace attack with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood alongside Starc, while Mitchell Marsh provides additional bowling depth.

India, on the other hand, has Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh as the other two frontline pacers in their squad. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube offer pace-bowling all-round options. McGrath suggests that while Bumrah will be instrumental to India's chances, someone must contribute with the ball to ease the load on him.

"Bumrah just seems to be the one bowler that batters find it hard, even in T20s, to get on top of," McGrath said. "So, I think if Australia is to win this World Cup, Starc has to bowl well. A lot of it relies on him. And Bumrah for India, but then it is who's going to take wickets around Bumrah and who's going to bowl well around him."

McGrath believes that Arshdeep is a better partner for Bumrah than Siraj. "You got Jasprit Bumrah. He showed just how good he is throughout the IPL. But it is like having a left-right opening combination for batters. It also depends on how they are bowling. In T20s, you do not have much time to be ready. If you take an over or two to warm up, the game is already over. If you have got a good opening-bowling combination, that is where you are going to win matches."

Bumrah was the standout performer for Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2024 campaign, despite the franchise's poor performance. India will need Bumrah to continue his impressive form and for someone to step up as his reliable partner in the T20 World Cup.

Tags: #T20WorldCup2024, #JaspritBumrah, #PaceBowling, #India, #Australia