India’s pace bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, expressed his satisfaction with the return of Jasprit Bumrah, emphasizing how it has bolstered their fast bowling contingent as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup. Bumrah, who made a successful comeback from a prolonged injury during the recent tour of Ireland, has continued to impress with his intensity in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Mhambrey mentioned, “We have been closely monitoring Bumrah’s progress from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and we are delighted with the positive reports we’ve received. Now, having four high-quality fast bowlers at our disposal is a pleasing scenario. The abundance of options is always a welcome challenge.”

However, with the return of Bumrah, India’s primary pace attack now revolves around Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Hardik Pandya, leading to the unfortunate decision to sideline Mohammed Shami. Mhambrey acknowledged the difficulty of this choice, stating, “It’s never easy to leave out a player of Shami’s caliber. His experience and outstanding performances for the country are commendable. Having such conversations about dropping a player is always challenging.”

Mhambrey added that the communication with the affected player was handled transparently, saying, “We have been clear in our approach when discussing such decisions with the players, and they have displayed trust in our judgment. Players understand that our choices are made for the benefit of the team.”

Mhambrey also expressed his delight at Hardik Pandya’s evolution as a bowler in recent times. He remarked, “I am very pleased with the progress Hardik has made, a journey we’ve been on for a considerable time. We have been mindful of managing his workload to ensure he remains fit and can deliver what we expect from him. Once he consistently reaches speeds of 140 kmph, he becomes a different bowler and provides a wicket-taking option for the team.”