Is Mohammed Shami going to be as good as Jasprit Bumrah?: Matthew Hayden questions pacer's impact in Australia

Matthew Hayden has questioned the impact Mohammed Shami will have if he plays at the T20 World Cup in Australia, asking if he can have the same impact as Jasprit Bumrah. Shami is included in the squad as a standby player.

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has questioned the impact of Mohammed Shami down under asking if he will be able to have the same impact as Jasprit Bumrah.

Shami was included in the T20 World Cup as a standby player and was included in the squad for the series against Australia.

Speaking at a press conference organized by Star Sports, as quoted by NDTV, Gautam Gambhir said that if Shami starts performing well then serious questions will be asked of the selectors as to why he isn't the 15-member squad for the World Cup. He went on to say that India should go with the people originally selected and Shami should come in only as a replacement if there is an injury.

"If Shami starts performing really well, then there would be a lot of question marks for selectors on why he is not on the plane to Australia. And imagine if Arshdeep, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, or Harshal Patel, if one of these are having a bad day, then there would be more question marks. So, go with the guys who you have already picked irrespective of whether they are doing well or not. I know it is tough on Mohammed Shami, but it was anyway tough for him when he was not picked in the squad of 15 for the World Cup."

"So, if you pick him in the XI ahead of any other guys who would be on the plane to Australia, it makes no sense to me. He should just be a backup if someone has a niggle or an injury and one of these guys are not available and you have to pick three fast bowlers. Otherwise, there is going to be a lot of criticism and I am sure selectors will not take that risk," said Gambhir.

Hayden then went on to question if the right-arm pacer would have the same effect as Bumrah down under.