"To err on the side of safety" - Robin Uthappa wants India to rest Jasprit Bumrah for 2024 T20 World Cup match vs Bangladesh

Robin Uthappa believes that Team India should rest their fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for their upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh. He opined that the speedster should be given a break to ensure he remains fresh at the back end of the tournament.

The Men in Blue completed a 47-run win over Afghanistan in the Super 8 in Barbados on Thursday, June 20. They will now take on Bangladesh in Antigua on Saturday, June 22.

Uthappa highlighted that playing a match straightaway after a journey may not be ideal for Bumrah. Suggesting that India should bring in Mohammed Siraj in place of the star bowler, here's what he said on Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel:

"When it comes to an overnight journey with lactic acid buildup and all of these other scientific aspects, to err on the side of safety, especially in a World Cup tournament, Siraj is bowling well. It's an opportunity for him to sharpen his death-bowling skills.

"As far as I am concerned, Bumrah is the God of death-bowling. I have very rarely, if ever, seen him get pummeled in or taken for runs in the death."

Uthappa emphasized that a prized possession like Bumrah must be protected at all costs. He suggested that it was crucial to give the seamer a break from time to time, considering the stress his unorthodox bowling action puts on his body.

"My feeling is that when you have strength and when you are playing a tournament like this, you have to respect Bumrah's age and his actions. His actions put a lot of stress on his body. So, he is like a prized possession," he added.

Jasprit Bumrah has enjoyed an imperious run so far at the 2024 T20 World Cup. He has claimed eight wickets from four outings at an exceptional economy rate of 3.46.

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"He will get a feel for what it is like to bowl in the West Indies" - Robin Uthappa wants Mohammed Siraj to come in place of Jasprit Bumrah for IND vs BAN clash

Robin Uthappa highlighted that by giving Jasprit Bumrah a break, India can give Mohammed Siraj a chance to play in the West Indies. He mentioned that the right-arm pacer will get a feel of the conditions by featuring in the contest.

Reckoning that India don't need to make any other changes apart from Mohammed Siraj replacing Jasprit Bumrah, Uthappa said:

"I feel you can afford to give him a break. Bring Siraj in. Because Siraj is also bowling beautifully. He will get a feel for what it is like to bowl in the West Indies as well. Otherwise, I don't see any other changes, bro. I don't think there is a necessity."

Siraj was in the playing XI in India's three group-stage fixtures of the showpiece event, where he picked up one wicket at an economy rate of 5.18.