According to reports, Indian primary pacer Mohammed Shami had requested the Indian selectors and team management to keep him fully fit for the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023. Team India is scheduled to play 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is against the Caribbean team.
India has rested Shami for the series against West Indies to manage his workload, other than that team India will play full strength for the series to prepare them for the marquee events. Youngsters Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mukesh Kumar were given the opportunity in the squad to represent the country at the highest level.
The right-arm pacer has been playing cricket continuously since the start of the Border Gavaskar Trophy this year. He played in all four Tests against Australia followed by the three-match ODI series. He played all the games for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 and has also been India’s primary pacer in the WTC final.
Mohammed Shami is a key member of the team and the team management would look at him fresh ahead of the important white-ball season. He is expected to spread head India’s pace attack in the forthcoming marquee event alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, as the fast bowlers will be crucial for India’s chance in the big events.
India’s pace attack for the West Indies series will comprise of Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, and Shardul Thakur in the pace bowling. In the spin department, the onus will be on Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal to deliver. The ODI series is scheduled to be played from July 27.
That’s Up To The Individual To Actually Take The Rest When He Feels Needs It – Glenn McGrath
Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath believes that every pacer needs rest every 12 months to keep themself fit for the big events, as fast bowling usually takes heavy toil in the body and reckons that it is up to the individual to take rest for the cricket depending on their body.
“Every 12 months, I think you need a bit of a break to get strong and fit again. So your body can withstand the stresses of fast bowling because it is not a natural thing. That’s up to the individual to take that rest when he feels he needs it,” Glenn McGrath said.
Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Deepak Chahar are often dealt with injuries in recent times, as they are often derailed by injuries making it tough for the Indian team to do well in the marquee events.