New Delhi, Oct 1 (TIWN): Former India men's wicketkeeper-batter and ex-member of the senior selection committee Saba Karim has backed Mohammed Shami to replace Jasprit Bumrah if the latter is ruled out of Indian side traveling for the Men's T20 World Cup in Australia next month.

Since Thursday, there have been reports of Bumrah likely to miss out on playing in the T20 World Cup due to back injury. Earlier on Friday, he was replaced by fellow pacer Mohammed Siraj for the remainder of the T20I series against South Africa after sustaining a back injury.

Shami, included as a travelling reserve for the mega event, hadn't featured in T20Is against Australia and currently against South Africa due to Covid-19 positive result, which came negative after ten days. The right-arm pacer hadn't played international cricket since July this year and didn't feature in T20Is since last year's T20 World Cup in the UAE.

"I'll go ahead with Mohammed Shami because he will find form although he hasn't played but he's that kind of bowler who once given an opportunity he can always step up and do the job for India. Plus, with this kind of experience, you need somebody at the top who can pick you wickets and you've seen Mohammed Shami in the last Indian T20 league (IPL 2022)."