Kohli hints that Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah and Shami are all set to play in T20 World Cup

Ahead of the first T20I between India and West indies at Hyderabad, Indian skipper Virat Kohli stated that just one spot remains to be filled in the side's pace attack for the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia next year. Thus, he has more or less confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are all set to make the cut in the squad.

“The fight obviously is for one spot and I think more or less three guys have made a place for themselves. It’s going to be a healthy competition and it will be interesting to see how it pans out,” Kohli said.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (L) and Jasprit Bumrah

Kohli further added that he couldn't have been happier with the kind of talent and skills that India's fast bowlers have been putting on show lately. Responding to a question whether India have too many selection headaches considering the number of contenders fighting for the limited spots in the squad, the Indian captain said:

“It’s not that big an issue for us. I think Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar) and (Jasprit) Bumrah are experienced bowlers. They have been very consistent in T20 cricket. Deepak (Chahar) has come in and has bowled really well.

“(Mohammed) Shami is coming back and he is bowling really well. If he gets into a rhythm and specifically works on what’s required in T20 cricket then he will be very, very useful in places like Australia, especially with his ability to pick wickets with the new ball. He has enough pace to execute yorkers,” Kohli added.

Mohammad Shami

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Shami and Bhuvi have returned to the Indian team for the series against the Windies, but Bumrah is still recuperating from a stress fracture in his lower back. Shami last played for India in the format back in 2017, while Bhuvi returns to the side after recovering from a muscle injury. He last played in West Indies this August.

In the absence of Shami, Bumrah and Bhuvi, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini and Deepak Chahar took on the role with the new ball for Team India in the recent series against South Africa and Bangladesh. Chahar is in the running to seal the final spot after an impressive showing against Bangladesh, where he scalped 6 for 7, including a hat-trick.