Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath believes that speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s extended period of recovery from injury would be a blessing in disguise for the Indian team going into the ODI World Cup in 2023. The 29-year-old has not played any form of competitive match since September 2022 and his experience will be handy for Indian cricket going into the mega event.
After having back surgery in March of this year, the seamer undertook a protracted rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The Indian team selectors and management are extremely cautious with the fitness of the Indian speedster, as his form and fitness will be crucial for the Indian team going into the World Cup later this year.
Speaking to the media at the sidelines of MRF Pace Academy Foundation in Chennai, Glenn McGrath is hopeful of Jasprit Bumrah returning with full fitness to the Indian team and asserted that the pacer bowler needs layoffs at the proper intervals and said that his form will depend on how he worked off the field to return to the team.
“It depends on how the injury is and the sort of expectations he has. I think he will be fine since he is a quality bowler. The layoff will help him, I think. Fast bowlers need that layoff and time to get the strength back in their bodies.
“It depends on the work he has done off the field, how his back is, and if he has done anything to his action. I think he has been there before and he has achieved it,” Glenn McGrath said.
The speedster’s availability will be crucial for Indian Team in the Asia Cup and World Cup, India’s team failed to win a single ICC trophy post-Champions Trophy victory in 2013 under the leadership of legendary MS Dhoni and the 2023 ODI World Cup will give them a chance to win the championship after 12-long years.
I Will Be Watching Him Keenly To See Him Get Back – Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath said that he is unsure about the form and fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and reckons that he is keen to watch him back in cricket and believes that he can make a comeback into the team with the same class if he had put in effort and energy during his rehabilitation.
“I haven’t seen him bowl. So, time will tell. Only he knows where he is now. So, I will be watching him keenly to see him get back to where he was. The effort and energy he puts in take a toll on the body. If he has put enough work on the field, I can’t see a reason why he cannot go back to being where he previously was,” Glenn McGrath added.
The right-arm pacer has been India’s best bowler across all three formats since his debut for the Men in Blue in International Cricket, he is expected to be a vital player for the Indian team in the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023.