With just over 6 months to go for the next edition of the World Cup, Team India would desperately want their star bowler to be fully fit and raring to go for the mega event. The trouble though also is that there are not too many home ODIs left for India to play before the mega event starts and Bumrah has been missing in action for a while.
Bumrah has undergone a successful surgery in Christchurch (in New Zealand) and is, according to reports, expected to be out of action for six months. That means he will not be part of India’s Asia Cup campaign and a potential return before the World Cup will also be touch and go.
Team India has not been able to win any ICC silverware for a long time now. The last time India won an ICC World Cup trophy was way back in 2011 when MS Dhoni captained India to a title (50 overs) after 28 years.
With the upcoming edition of the World Cup to be hosted by India, former Sri Lanka pacer Dilhara Fernando feels the hosts and captain Rohit Sharma will desperately need the services of Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
“Bumrah is just amazing. If you look at India’s performance in the last 5 years, Bumrah has played a very big role. He has been leading the pace attack really well. He is a game-changer. I am not sure about his injury updates, but he will be a key player for India in the World Cup. Rohit will need him in the World Cup. India and Rohit will really need him in the World Cup,” Fernando told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
“Bumrah in Indian conditions is at another level. He is a nightmare for the opposition. India’s pace attack looks good, and India are top contenders at the World Cup,” Fernando, who played 40 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 18 T20Is for Sri Lanka between 2000 and 2016, further told TimesofIndia.com
Fernando knows a thing or two about playing in Indian conditions. Apart from international matches that he has played in the country, Fernando was also part of the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise between 2008 and 2011, where he played under the leadership of Sachin Tendulkar in all four seasons.
Fernando believes Bumrah, who now plays under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy at Mumbai Indians, will be a key man for the most-successful skipper in IPL history.
“Bumrah and Rohit know each other closely and have a good camaraderie, so Rohit would want Bumrah badly in the World Cup. IPL and Mumbai Indians have played a big role in Bumrah’s career. Rohit and Bumrah have a good mutual understanding, especially in tough conditions. Bumrah will be key for India as well as for Rohit,” Fernando said.
UMRAN = SHOAIB AKHTAR
Fernando meanwhile is in awe of India’s new speed-gun Umran Malik. India have got a big weapon in their pace armoury in the new speed sensation Umran. His ability to consistently bowl at 150kmph plus speed has wowed everyone, including Fernando, who recorded career best ODI figures of 6/27.
Umran Malik (AFP Photo)
“Umran Malik has impressed me a lot because of his pace. He has a bright future. I have never seen an Indian fast bowler bowling 150 plus. He is a unique talent and has got all the ingredients of being a perfect fast bowler,” Fernando told TimesofIndia.com.
“I saw a glimpse of Shoaib Akhtar in Umran. He reminds me of Akhtar. His ability to generate pace, accuracy, and yorkers has impressed me a lot. He will be a world-class bowler one day,” the Sri Lankan further said.
India defeated Sri Lanka to win the 2011 World Cup.
On being asked about the current Sri Lankan team and their title chances in the upcoming edition of the World Cup, Fernando said: “Sri Lanka are a very unpredictable team. Sometimes they beat the top teams, the number one teams with their stupendous performances, and on some days, they succumb to pressure and lose matches to bottom-placed teams. The Sri Lanka team doesn’t have consistency. Consistency is something missing from this Sri Lankan team. Players are not consistent. But we have a good coaching staff now. This team is in rebuilding mode, and I am sure by the time the World Cup comes, this team will be prepared and will do wonders”.
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The post is published through a syndicated feed and attributed to Times Of India
