Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was drafted in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series; however, his availability was subjected to fitness. However, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah has ruled out any injury concerns, saying that Ashwin is ‘shaping up well.’

Ashwin who has been recovering from an unspecified injury missed the recent white-ball series against West Indies at home. The senior player also missed the recently concluded three-match T20I contest against Sri Lanka.

The 35-year-old cricketer from Tamil Nadu had arrived in Mohali a couple of days back and had been training here. Addressing a virtual press conference ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka, Jasprit Bumrah said that there were no complaints from Ravichandran Ashwin about his injury.

“The Test team had already come before and they were practicing, he (Ashwin) is shaping up well and I don’t know, I am not aware that there are any complaints,” Bumrah said. 

“He (Ashwin) looked good, he looked very comfortable in training today. He was bowling, batting, fielding, he did everything, so I think he is shaping up really well,” he added. 

“He plays a very important role whenever we play” – Jasprit Bumrah on Ravichandran Ashwin

The ace fast bowler also asserted the importance of Ravichandran Ashwin in the side irrespective of the venue.

“He plays a very important role whenever we play, so his role will be important and hopefully there would be no troubles going forward,” Bumrah added. 

Ashwin has represented India in 84 matches Test matches has taken 430 wickets at a strike rate of 52.73. He has made telling contributions with the bat as well in the lower-order chipping in with useful runs.

He will hope to continue the good run against Sri Lanka as India look to bounce back from the South Africa drubbing.

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