Former captain Ravi Shastri believes that Jaspreet Bumrah’s possible absence may weaken the Indian team in the Champions Trophy but he advised not to hurry in this main fast bowler’s return to the national team. Bumrah’s fifth Test against Australia in Sydney in January stretched back muscles and did not bowl in the second innings.He has not bowled for India since then, although he has been included in the initial team for the prestigious ODI tournament Champions Trophy.
Bumrah is currently going through the process of rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and is not in the ODI team for a three -match series against England on Thursday. Sports science experts are expected to update their fitness to the Cricket Board of India (BCCI) after which a decision will be taken on the Champions Trophy which will be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Its first match is to be held in Karachi on 19 February while India will play all their matches in Dubai.
Shastri said in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ‘Review’, “Bumrah’s not fit, India’s (Champions Trophy win) chances will be 30 percent, not 30 to 35 percent.” ‘Played by full -fit Bumrah guarantees good bowling in’ Death Over ‘. “Bumrah, who performed brilliantly last year, was elected the ICC’s best male cricketer with the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC’s Best Men Test Cricketer of the year. He played a key role in winning India 2024 T20 World Cup.
In Australia, both were the highest 32 wicket bowlers in the team in the five-match border-gavaskar Test series. Shastri warned against the return of this veteran in a hurry. He said, “I think it is very risky to return to his haste. India has to play a lot of cricket further. And at this stage of my career, I think he is very important and should not suddenly be called for a match. ,
He said, “Expectations will be very high. They will feel that he will make a splash as soon as he arrives. It is never so easy when you return from injury. ”Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting said that Bumrah’s absence may make attention on Shami who returned to the Indian team after 14 months after injury and rehabilitation. Is. They also feel that Bumrah’s back muscles in Australia may have been stretched because they did not get Shami’s support at the other end.
Ponting “My biggest concern in the Test series was that Bumrah did not have Shami as a backup and had to take up most of the bowling responsibility.” “He said,” and perhaps that’s what happened and perhaps it would have to do anything that he (Bumrah) got injured. ” Because of Shami’s absence, he probably had to bowl a little more in that series. So if Shami is fit then it is a positive thing.