India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is all but out of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia owing to a serious injury. But right ahead of the team's second T20I against South Africa, Men in Blue's head coach Rahul Dravid on Saturday (October 1) said that he won't go deep into the Bumrah's medical reports and will wait for an official confirmation regarding his availability for the marquee tournament which is slated to start from October 16.
India suffered a big setback when their pace spearhead Bumrah was ruled out of their final preparatory series against South Africa due to stress fracture in his lower back.
On Jasprit Bumrah
“Officially, ruled out of T20 series against South Africa. He has gone to the NCA. We are awaiting further official confirmation of the next steps. Officially, ruled out for only this series. Only after further confirmation we will take a decision. I have not gone deeply into the medical reports. He has been assessed. We will know what happens in the future soon. We will always be hopeful for the team and Jasprit as a individual,” Dravid said.
Bumrah, who has been out of action since the India tour of England in July, had recently made a comeback during the home T20I series against Australia but the 28-year-old has been forced to head back to the National Cricket Academy for rehab again.
Bumrah's spate of injuries, despite his workload being carefully looked after by the think-tank, has become a matter of debate.
Bumrah played all the 14 IPL matches for his franchise Mumbai Indians and since then he only featured in six Internationals in four months.
Doing rehab at the NCA, Bumrah made a comeback in the preceding Australia series where he played two matches and travelled with the team to Thiruvananthapuram for the 1st T20I against South Africa only to be ruled out ahead of the game.
Team combinations
“We were clear about the kind of combinations that we want and the likely XI. You cannot pick a 11 in advance, without knowing the pitch conditions. Kind of skills that we need in the 15 is what we are looking for. Different kind of bowlers, batting skills. Not everything will be perfect. In terms of skill in the squad, everyone being fit, we are comfortable and we have all the skills based on the different conditions that we will get. You need versatility in the squad. Not been able to play out the ideal combination due to variety of factors,” he added.
Injuries
"We are not the only team that suffers from injuries. Closer to big tournaments, it has happened. It can upset our plans. Everyone is trying to make a big effort. We work hard with the sports science team. We take their advice and manage the workload. It is part of the game as we play a lot of it.
Pitch and weather. It was hot. i have not played at the ground before. It is a really good wicket," he further added.
Playing 11
“Not announcing the team in advance,” former India star batter said.
Harshal Patel
“Harshal is a mentally strong player. If you look at the performances in last 2 yrs, even in franchise cricket, he bowls good spells. He is preparing well and practising hard. He is also coming off a little bit of an injury. He bowled a phenomenal last over against Australia and South Africa. In a tight game, that can make a difference. Happy with the way he is progressing,” ex-India Test specialist said.
KL Rahul strike-rate
“We want them to continue the way they are batting. It is unrealistic to keep playing the same guys again and again. All the expriments are sometimes forced upon us. Bumrah did not play the last game not because we are experimenting but because he is injuured. Whatever we do, people will say something different. People within the group are sure what they are doing,” Dravid concluded.
