​Not Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma: R Ashwin picks this star as the player India will never be able to replace originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.R Ashwin calls Jasprit Bumrah India’s truly irreplaceable player, above Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma.Bumrah’s fiery spell powered India’s six-wicket win in first ODI.His return marked his first ODI appearance since the 2023 World Cup final.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRavichandran Ashwin picked Jasprit Bumrah as the player India will never be able to replace, even ahead of the poster boys of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.India’s fortunes on the UK tour shifted the moment Bumrah returned to the fold, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup final. His presence alone appeared to transform the entire atmosphere around the team, culminating in a six-wicket win in the series-opening ODI at Birmingham.Fiery, disciplined fast bowling led by Bumrah triggered an early wobble in England’s batting order. The hosts eventually recovered to post 258 runs, but it wasn’t enough to stop a revitalised Indian side from clinching a six-wicket win.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: World Club T20: ICC’s reported plans for T20 franchise tournament and FTP challenges detailedBumrah didn’t strike immediately, going wicketless through the powerplay, though he still troubled England’s openers with the sheer quality of his bowling.The breakthrough eventually came once Shubman Gill introduced pace option Gurnoor Brar into the attack during the 13th over, which helped remove both openers. From there, Bumrah reaped the benefit of his earlier groundwork.Bumrah bowled an outswinger with extra bounce that generated from his trademark hard-length deliveries, forcing Brook into an edge that was safely pouched by Rohit Sharma at first slip.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: Inside England’s reported nine-man shortlist for Test coach role: The favourite, dark horse and outsidersWith both Kohli and Rohit failing to make significant contributions with the bat that day, it was Bumrah’s bowling that stood out as the difference-maker. Reflecting on his importance to the side, Ashwin didn’t hold back, stating that while Kohli and Rohit may dominate posters and public attention, Bumrah remains the one player he genuinely believes cannot be replaced.”Jasprit Bumrah’s difference will always be there,” he said on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat.”We can paste Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the posters, all that is fine. But I am saying the fact is that Jasprit Bumrah cannot be replaced in my head. It is undeniable. Finding a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah is not difficult; it is impossible.”The renewed sharpness in Bumrah’s bowling was evident throughout his outing at Edgbaston. Earlier in the summer, his pace had visibly dipped, but following a break of over a month, he looked considerably closer to his best self at Edgbaston.AdvertisementAdv