Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has expressed strong confidence in the potency of India’s pace attack ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against England, beginning June 20th. Shastri believes that the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj will pose significant challenges to England’s batting lineup. India’s five-match Test series against England in June will also mark the beginning of the next WTC cycle.
Shastri also backed Mohammed Siraj to make his comeback to the national side after being omitted from India’s Champions Trophy squad earlier this year. Meanwhile, Siraj has been in top form in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
“I think with Siraj, Jasprit and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, they will give England heaps of problems,” Shastri said on the ICC review.
“It's a quality, top-class pace attack when you get these three fit. And what I like about Siraj, I'm glad he was hurt after being put out, not in the side for the Champions Trophy. That's what you want."
“For him to go back to the drawing board and come back the way he has, there's a spring in his stride, the pace is up there, and he means business game after game. And that is perfect from India's point of view, with England coming up."
Shastri further emphasised that India need to be careful of Jasprit Bumrah’s workload. Jasprit Bumrah recently missed the Champions Trophy due to an injury picked up during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
“I would be very, very careful [with Bumrah]. I would give him two Test matches at a time and then wait for the break. Ideally, make him play four. You'll be tempted to make him play five if he starts off in a great manner, but it's how his body pulls up. He should be given the first opportunity to say, ‘Yes, a little, [I am] feeling the niggle. A break would help.’ Give him that break.”