Bumrah can’t be replaced, but Arshdeep can deliver the same results with a different approach

For India and Indians, the Pakistan clash is the pinnacle, still, despite genuine aspirations of going all the way.

Arshdeep is the most inexperienced player in India’s squad, with only 13 T20 Internationals under his belt. He has not played 50-over cricket for India and has not even come close to selection for the Test squad.

Going forward a little more, Arshdeep has played only six first-class matches and 17 List-A (or domestic 50-over matches) so far.

And yet, he is a gun bowler.

There is no reason to believe Arshdeep cannot do well in other formats, but there is enough evidence to show that he is a T20 gem.

At 1.9m height, he brings a vertical element that is challenging, in that he can hit a slightly shorter length and still get the ball to kick and surprise batsmen.

Wiry and sinewy, Arshdeep can bang the ball in on a length, to contain, if that’s what the situation and conditions demand.

But, most crucially, he is a banker in the death overs. Arshdeep has a yorker that he can control and, for now, bowl almost at will.

This has been India’s biggest challenge — the death overs— and there is no indication that it has been solved.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a fine swing bowler up front, but his 19th over stats in T20 cricket recently make for sad reading. Mohammad Shami, back in the team despite not figuring in this format for a year, was a bit of a wild card. Shami nailed his yorkers, bowling just one over, the final one, in a practice match, but that was a time and place when there was no pressure.

With Jasprit Bumrah out of action, India are short of options at the death. Hardik Pandya bowled himself at all times when taking the Gujarat Titans to the Indian Premier League title, but he has not yet been trialled as a death bowling option by India.

In a World Cup, teams will be flexible about their playing XI. Rishabh Pant one day and Dinesh Karthik another, depending on whether you want to be top heavy or finisher ready.

But when it comes to bowling the final few overs, either the 18th and 20th or the 17th and 19th, you need to be very clear.

In T20 matches, whether defending a total or chasing, these are critical overs that decide the game. Make or break.

In comes Arshdeep. He sets his mark far, far away, runs in from well outside the 30-yard circle, but his mind is engaged in the last few strides when he extends his left arm and lets the ball go.

Arshdeep’s yorkers are usually yorkers. They do not end up as full tosses that get smacked.

Arshdeep, while being young and inexperienced, thinks like a T20 bowler. He has variations, but does not use them for fun.

In many ways, Arshdeep is a return to cricket as it was once played. After all, what ball from a quick bowler is more lethal than a yorker? A bouncer might send you to hospital, but if you can’t keep the toe-crusher out, you’re gone and so is your team.

India’s challenge in this World Cup is death bowling.

At the top of the innings, you’ve got Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, who have all seen the light and are approaching this format for fun, with skills. Suryakumar Yadav is a stunner who has taken T20 batting to another playful and unexpected level.

In the spin department you have Yuzvendra Chahal, an IPL stud, R Ashwin, all-time great, and Axar Patel, a gun replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.

There are riches galore in this Indian squad, no doubt. But, when it comes to picking the final eleven, there will be tricky choices. But, Arshdeep must be the first name on the team list after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out.

The strong arm of Bumrah, his punchy shoulder and sinewy back, cannot be replaced. But, Arshdeep can deliver the same results, with a completely different approach.