India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey spoke on the subject of strike pacer Mohammad Shami being overlooked since Jasprit Bumrah returned to the side, especially in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Mhambrey added that he is pleased to have four fully fit fast bowlers to choose from, especially in preparation for the World Cup 2023.
Jasprit Bumrah made his much-awaited comeback to India colors on the recent T20I tour of Ireland after being off the field for 11 months as he was affected by a back injury and had to undergo surgery for the same.
For Asia Cup 2023, India has Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, and Prasidh Krishna to choose from in the fast-bowling unit with Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya for support.
"We have been following Bumrah's progress from the NCA, and we are delighted with the report that we have got. Now, we have four quality bowlers, and it is always great to have those options. The problem of plenty is always good," Mhambrey said ahead of India's final Super 4 match against Bangladesh on Friday.
Asia Cup 2023: Shreyas Iyer participates in optional practice session ahead of the Bangladesh match
However, the Indian team management has built its bowling unit around Bumrah and Siraj with Hardik Pandya for support and two spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
On the other hand, Mohammad Shami has played only one game in the Asia Cup tournament thus far as a result.
"It's not very easy to drop someone like Shami. The experience that he has and the performance that he has done for the country is phenomenal. It's never easy to have that kind of a conversation (dropping a player). But we are clear in the way we have gone about the conversation with the players and they have shown confidence in us.
Players know any decision that we take and they know that it is for the team's benefit," said Mhambrey.
The former India pacer was also delighted to see the strides Pandya has taken as a bowler in recent times.
"I am very happy with the way Hardik has shaped up, something that we have worked on for a long time. We have been managing his workload, making sure that he is fit and able to achieve what we expect out of him. Once he hits 140 kmph he is a different bowler. From the team perspective it's a wicket-taking option that we have," added Mhambrey.
The bowling coach further added that the team management has undertaken the process of developing the bowling skills of some batsmen so that they have more options to choose from when needed. Someone like Tilak Varma has been earmarked for the same.
“I have been working with Tilak since his U-19 days. We were in South Africa and we realized he had bowling skills. We are working on it consistently. If the captain gets confidence that he can bowl one over and deliver, this one over can turn into two overs. But it depends on circumstances where we need that extra bowler," he said.
(PTI inputs)
