India’s interim coach on the ongoing Ireland T20I tour, Sitanshu Kotak said that though pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna were coming off a long layoff due to their respective surgeries, neither of them looked out of practice.
He further added that both the pacers just require some more game time ahead of the World Cup to be fully ready for the marquee tournament. Both Bumrah and Krishna were named in India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad recently.
The duo had suffered back injuries and were out since August and September 2022 respectively and had to undergo surgeries to rectify the issue. Both fast bowlers rehabbed at the NCA and played some practice games as well, to get back in the groove.
Bumrah was named India captain for three-match T20I tour of Ireland, while Prasidh made his T20I debut in the first encounter of the series which India leads 2-0. They both have exhibited encouraging performances, securing two wickets apiece in the two matches played thus far.
"Not really (any) pressure, I would say. They were at the NCA for their RTPs (return to play) and strength and all. They are very smart; they never looked like they did not get a game, or were out of practice. They looked ready in practice.
It is just that these guys need more game time before the World Cup. They will get three games in this series and (also) a few matches in the Asia Cup,” Sitanshu Kotak told media in Dublin.
Talking about his role on the tour, Kotak said: "I did two assignments with the Indian team last year, but as a head coach this is the first tour. Rahul bhai and they (other coaching staff members) are preparing for the Asia Cup.
But because I have been looking after the India A team since 2019, more or less players were there in the A series apart from (Jasprit) Bumrah and Prasidh (Krishna). We have unbelievable talent; it is a great experience to work with them.”
Tilak Varma has had a poor outing in both the T20Is and Kotak said that the youngster discussed his game plan and approach during an optional training session.
"He just wanted to practice. He talked about his mindset, his shot selection and it was a normal discussion on what I think and what his plans are. On tours, if anything, we talk more about tactics. He spoke about how to build his innings and how he should approach the last game.
We do not speak much on technical aspects unless the player requires it and provided there is enough time. I do not think you can change a player technically during a series, within a week or two-three days," he added.
The third T20I will be played on August 23rd and Kotak ruled out any major changes in the Indian playing Xi.
"We will discuss the team in the evening, but if there is a possibility of giving them an opportunity, we will give. It is a short series; the first was a half game in a way. If we have to give an opportunity to someone, we will have to drop another - it is difficult to rest someone after giving just one match.
Normally in a five-match series we try that everybody gets a game or two. We have only three matches here - half of one game got rained off - it is difficult to leave out those who are playing," he said.
(PTI inputs)
