Rahul Dravid, the head coach of India, expressed his happiness over star pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s return to international play after missing 11 months with a back injury and promised to ease him back in gradually.
For the 2023 Asia Cup, Team India is all set to depart for Sri Lanka. Dravid provided an update on Rahul’s injury on the final day of practice in Alur, a nearby location, and expressed his delight at Bumrah’s return to the team.
“Yeah, so it’s great to have them back and see them bowling, and bowling well, is truly good. Jasprit is someone we’ve missed a lot over the last two years. I must say he’s not played a lot of games. But it’s nice to have him back and we’ll ease him into it, slowly,” Dravid stated.
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Further, he added, “It was nice for him to get those 4 overs sort of, like the tour of Ireland, for both of them to ease in with sort of some four overs of bowling.”
Dravid also discussed World Cup preparation and prioritised Asia Cup 2023 as the best opportunity to look out for the loopholes.
“And then now it gives us a chance in the Asia Cup to build that up and pick that up and we have a whole month now to build that up before the World Cup as well.”
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The full-strength bowling line-up is well back for the Indian team. With Shami and Siraj already there, Bumrah’s skills and experience will come into play.
“So, yes, it does give us more options in the pace-bowling department. It allows us to have more resources, especially in a long tournament like a World Cup,” said Dravid.
With two big tournaments lined up for the team, Dravid feels excited but at the same time, the pressure of big tournaments is still there.
“Yeah, there’s going to be a certain amount of pressure associated with it, which is most welcome,” Dravid said. “But also, to be able to play in front of your own home crowds is going to be very special for everyone.”
The first World Cup match will take place on October 5 between England and New Zealand. India will begin their campaign on October 8 in Chennai against the formidable Australians, and then on October 14 in Ahmedabad, they will face their bitter foes Pakistan.
-IANS
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