Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja’s absence at the T20 World Cup will affect Team India but former head coach Ravi Shastri also feels it opens up an opportunity to “unearth a new champion”.

While all-rounder Jadeja is ruled out of the showpiece event starting in little over a week due to a knee injury, a back injury has put Bumrah out of contention.

“Bumrah not being there, Jadeja not being there — it hampers the side — but it’s an opportunity to unearth a new champion,” Shastri said at the launch of Coaching Beyond, his new initiative with former India coaching staff B. Arun and R. Sridhar.

“(Bumrah’s injury) is unfortunate. There’s so much cricket being played, and people get injured. He is injured, but it’s an opportunity for somebody else,” he added.

While a replacement for Bumrah has not been named yet, head coach Rahul Dravid has indicated Mohammed Shami could replace his teammate if he gains full fitness.

Although Shami hasn’t played competitive cricket since July, Shastri feels the veteran pacer’s success and experience in Australia will benefit India. “...India have been there a lot in the last six years and he has been an integral part of all those tours. So that experience (of having done well in Australia) counts.”