India captain Rohit Sharma has indicated that Team India’s lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the fold is not imminent but he is desperately hoping to have him back before the World Cup.
Speaking about Jasprit Bumrah while addressing a press conference on the eve of the first ODI against the West Indies here, Rohit said, “The amount of experience he (Bumrah) brings is very important. Right now he’s coming from a serious injury and I’ve no idea if he’ll travel to Ireland because the team hasn’t been announced yet.”
“If he gets to play then it’s good and we hope he plays before the World Cup. When a player returns from a serious injury, match fitness, match feeling are some key components, which are missing,” said Rohit at the press conference ahead of the first ODI.
“We’ll see what has been planned and everything depends on his recovery. We are in constant touch with the NCA and things look positive at the moment,” added Rohit.
Rohit also spoke about the Indian team’s injury problems in their ODI setup and the need for having backups.
“You need experience when you go into big tournaments. But when there are injuries, you just don’t know what you can do about it.
“Quite a few players are injured from our team but we try to identify players who are going to play in the World Cup and give them as many matches as possible so that they get the experience.
“Along with focusing on the XI, we need to focus on other 15-20 players too because anyone can get injured,” the India opener said.
“His experience is crucial for the team,” Rohit told reporters in Barbados ahead of the first one-day international against the West Indies on Thursday.
“He’s back from a serious injury. I’m nor sure if he’d travel to Ireland, because the team has not been selected yet.
“We’ll try to make sure he gets to play enough matches before the World Cup.”
The Asia Cup in August-September is a more realistic target for Bumrah to return to international cricket and the subsequent home series against Australia should be enough to get him in prime form, hoped Rohit.
“When you return from a big injury, you lack match fitness,” he said.
“If he plays some matches, it would be good for him and the team. We need to finalise his comeback plans.
“All depends on how much he has recovered. We are quite positive at the moment.”
India have released pacer Mohammed Siraj from the ODI squad hours before the start of the first match.
*With agency inputs
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Updated: 27 Jul 2023, 02:47 PM IST
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