Delhi : India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer has underscored the critical need for
regular game time and confidence for returning Jasprit Bumrah as he
makes a comeback from injury.
Jasprit Bumrah is in the mindset to perform and win for the team, says
Shreyas Iyer
India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer emphasised that Jasprit Bumrah needs
regular game time to regain confidence after his injury layoff.
Bumrah, who missed recent international fixtures due to a left-knee
injury, was named in the squad for the three-match T20I series against
Afghanistan.
Iyer confirmed that Bumrah is determined to perform for the team and
contribute to winning championships.
The series against Afghanistan is crucial for Bumrah to regain match
rhythm ahead of the Asian Games and the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Iyer also noted that Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, also
returning from injuries, appear fit after high-intensity training.
India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer on Saturday said Jasprit Bumrah needs
regular game time and confidence after returning from an injury
layoff, as India prepare to face Afghanistan in the first T20I on
Sunday, September 13.
Bumrah was named in India's initial squad for
the three-match T20I series but was required to undergo a fitness
assessment after missing recent international fixtures due to a
recurring left-knee injury.
Iyer on Bumrah's Mindset : Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Iyer said: "As a player who comes out of an injury, it's important that he gets game time.
And you need that sort of confidence when you're coming into the game. He
has played so much of cricket over the years; he's immensely
experienced, but at the end of the day, if you would ask me as an
individual who is coming out of an injury, I would want more game time
and more confidence leading up to a certain tournament."
The India skipper added that he had interacted with Bumrah on Friday
and said the pacer was determined to contribute to the team's success.
"Definitely, I interacted with him yesterday, and he's in that mindset
where he wants to come and perform for the team and see to it that we
win championships," Iyer said.
Crucial Series for Comebacks: Bumrah's return comes ahead of the Asian Games and with the ODI World
Cup scheduled next year, making the Afghanistan T20I series an
important opportunity for him to regain match rhythm.
Iyer also addressed the fitness of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who have returned from injury concerns, saying the players looked fit
after undergoing high-intensity training sessions.
Sundar had missed the recent two-game Test series in Sri Lanka due to
a hamstring injury picked up during the second ODI against England in
Cardiff in July.
Reddy last featured for India during the home ODI
series against Afghanistan in June before aggravating a left
quadriceps injury, which led to him missing out on trips to Ireland,
England and Sri Lanka.
Team Focus and Preparation
"We are just focusing on tomorrow's game at the moment. And looking at
every individual who has come out of an injury, they are looking fit
and fine. They are in great shape. And we had two high-intensity
sessions yesterday and the day before yesterday," he said.
On managing the squad amid a packed schedule and limited recovery time
between matches, Iyer said the team was currently focused on the
opening game.
"I honestly can't tell you how we are going to manage
it, but all I can assure you is that the team is looking promising. We
are in great preparation, and I want to be optimistic in terms of how
we approach the game," he said.
