Ravi Shastri has issued a strong warning against pushing Jasprit Bumrah back into play ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri has cautioned selectors not to hurry star speed bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s return from injury. Bumrah has not played a single game since September 2022, and despite some promise of a comeback, he missed the T20 World Cup, Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, and World Test Championship (WTC) Final. In a recent interview, Shastri stated that pushing his recovery for the ODI World Cup later this year might be detrimental to both the team and the fast bowler.
“He (Bumrah) is a vital cricketer.” However, rushing him for the World Cup risks losing him for four months later, like Shaheen Afridi did. So there’s a fine line that has to be considered’, Shastri told The Week in an interview.
Shastri also stated that he does not see Hardik Pandya returning to Test cricket and that the all-rounder may become India’s white-ball captain following the ODI World Cup.
“Let’s be clear about something. Hardik’s physique is incapable of handling Test cricket. After the World Cup, I believe he should take over as white-ball captain. “There is no doubt that Rohit should lead India in the World Cup,” he remarked.
The former India captain also addressed Ravichandran Ashwin’s recent remarks on the Indian cricket team’s dressing room.
“It was always colleagues for me.” You will have coworkers as friends. How many close pals does somebody have? If you ask someone, they will say 4-5 times throughout their lives! “I’m content with five close friends in my life; I don’t need any more,” Shastri stated.
