Rahul Dravid, the head coach of India, mentioned that they plan to gradually integrate their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah back into the team before the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Bumrah recently returned to the team after an 11-month gap during the Ireland tour. He has been added to the squad for the Asia Cup as well and Dravid expressed that the team deeply felt Bumrah’s absence over the past couple of years.
India’s coach, Rahul Dravid, mentioned that they intend to gradually involve Jasprit Bumrah more actively following his comeback during the Ireland tour. Bumrah, who recently returned to international cricket after a long injury layoff due to a back injury, made an impressive comeback.
Back in September 2022, Bumrah suffered from lower-back stress fractures, which led to his absence during the T20 World Cup and raised concerns about his involvement in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023. The injury was substantial enough to necessitate surgery, which was conducted in Christchurch, New Zealand.
This surgery was followed by a half-year recuperation phase, during which Bumrah underwent thorough rehabilitation at India’s National Cricket Academy (NCA).
During the first T20I in Ireland, Jasprit Bumrah secured two wickets in the four overs he bowled
Bumrah’s highly awaited return occurred in August 2023 during the T20I series against Ireland. In the two matches played, he managed to secure four wickets. His comeback was celebrated as a significant uplift for India’s hopes in both the Asia Cup and the home World Cup.
Taking charge of the pace attack alongside Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, Bumrah’s presence aimed to end India’s lack of ICC titles and enhance the team’s quest for success in the 2023 ODI World Cup. During a press conference before the Asia Cup, as reported by Sportskeeda, Dravid mentioned that having Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna back in action was fantastic.
The coach expressed that the team deeply felt Bumrah’s absence over the last couple of years and shared that they would gradually reintegrate him into the team.
“It is great to have them back. Jasprit is someone who we have missed a lot, over the last two years he has not played too much games. We will ease him into it slowly. It was nice for him to get those overs in the tour of Ireland. We have a whole month to build him up before the World Cup. It gives us more options in the pace bowling department,” said Rahul Dravid.
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