The 1st Test between India and Sri Lanka to begin on March 4 in Mohali.
Team India vice-captain for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, Jasprit Bumrah on Tuesday, spoke out about veteran spinner R Ashwin's fitness ahead in a virtual press conference before the first Test in Mohali commences on March 4.
The 35-year-old off-spinner from Chennai has been sidelined with an injury since January and was picked for the Sri Lanka series in the Indian squad, but his availability depends on his fitness.
He last played against New Zealand and was absent from the white-ball series against West Indies and Sri Lanka. The Indian team has Jayant Yadav and Saurabh Kumar to choose from apart from Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department.
"The test team had already come before and they were practicing, he (Ashwin) is shaping up well and I don’t know, I am not aware that there are any complaints. He (Ashwin) looked good, he looked very comfortable in training today.
He was bowling, batting, fielding, he did everything, so I think he is shaping up really well. He plays a very important role whenever we play, so his role will be important and hopefully, there would (will) be no troubles going forward," said Bumrah, Team India's vice-captain for the Sri Lanka Tests.
"See, I don’t look at it as a particular position that a spinner, or a bowler or a batter is a leader. As a senior member of the team, you have to help the players, in whatever capacity you can," added the 28-year-old.
Apart from Ashwin's fitness, the right-handed pacer also opened up about his feelings of being the vice-captain of the Indian team.
"As I have spoken before, this (vice-captain) is just a post. Yes, obviously given an opportunity, it’s a great opportunity that was presented itself and I am very happy to do that. I will try to give my best in whatever capacity I can. But for me, I don’t think any position should matter or a bowler or a batter makes a difference, it depends on how you handle the situation and how tactically strong you are," said the Gujarat pacer.
Although Bumrah opened up on several issues regarding the Mohali Test, he kept mum about the team selection.
"Well, we just had a look at the track, but it is too early because (there are) still three days to go for the game, so there could be a lot of changes. So, right now we have not had a combination in mind. We had an optional session today, everybody was looking good and everybody was looking in touch, so that is a positive sign for us and we will try to hopefully make out a plan soon," said Rohit Sharma's deputy.
“Everybody is fine, no complaints. Fingers crossed hopefully there are no problems and we would not face any difficulties," concluded Bumrah.
(With PTI Inputs)