India pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned to international cricket with a bang as he earned the Player-of-the-Series award during the recently held T20I tour of Ireland.
Bumrah, who was away from action for almost a year due to recurring back injury, led India from the front in Ireland, claiming four wickets from two T20Is at an average of 9.75.
With nearly a month left for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, West Indies legend Curtly Ambrose has said that Bumrah’s presence will make India favourites in the quadrennial event and advised him to increase his pace gradually.
The 50-over World Cup is slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
“Jasprit Bumrah is a fine bowler and as he returns to the Indian team it will add a lot of depth and variety to the Indian attack. And his presence in the World Cup will make India favourites. He will bowl at the death and that's what you need. Having said that, a comeback is never easy. Jasprit should go a little slow in the early stages. My advice to him will be to go gradually. If he starts to bowl full steam in every match it is not the best way to go about it.”
“He should give himself time to get back to full pace and take it a little slow on his return. That is how he can get back to his best. However much he bowls in training, match situations are different and in matches, he should not rush himself to bowl like he used to. Once he has a few matches under his belt, he can do what he used to do before the injury," said Ambrose while speaking to Revsportz on the Backstage With Boria show.
He further added, "He makes you the favourites in the World Cup. He will bowl in every situation whenever his team needs him. He is the equivalent of Virat Kohli in the Indian bowling unit."
Ambrose also expects India’s star batter Virat Kohli to make a mark in the showpiece tournament. Kohli is back to scoring runs consistently after enduring an extended lean patch. He has slammed two centuries each in Tests and ODIs this year so far besides a couple of tons in the IPL 2023 season for RCB
"I have seen Virat for several years now and I do not need to tell you that he is a great player. And like every great player in history, he went through a lean period. But that does not mean he is finished or that he is over the hill or he is not the same player of old. He looked hungry to me, looked disciplined and fit. These are all important signs to observe. I think Virat can make a telling difference for India in the World Cup at home. He has all the talent and hunger to do so."
Commenting on the India-Pakistan clash, Ambrose said: "It is one of the best cricket games you can watch as a fan. Two very good sides with very good fast bowlers. As a fast bowler, I cannot emphasise the importance of fast bowlers more. Both these teams have many in their ranks. And with Bumrah back, India has got their strength back. It should be a fantastic clash for the fans to watch. And in India, every seat will be full, which will make it a real spectacle."
It’s been a decade since Team India last won an ICC tournament, and Curtly Ambrose feels the Men in Blue will finally break the trophy jinx at home.
"You surely have a chance. But there are other good teams as well. Australia, England, Pakistan are some of them. The question is how well will Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid handle pressure. At home, there will be pressure on India. There will be huge crowds in the stadiums. The media will be following every story. There will be a huge build-up to the event. How well do you handle the pressure could define your campaign. If you handle it well and seek the positives out of it, there is reason to believe India will do well in the World Cup. Rohit Sharma is a good captain and we have seen that over the years so there is every reason for you to be hopeful. It will not be easy, however. Winning a World Cup can never be easy and India will need to play their best to do so," he concluded.
(With ANI Inputs)
