Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey is delighted as the Indian team is ready with full-strength bowling unit in the World Cup 2023.
Paras Mhambrey highlights India’s Pace attack
India had played three matches so far in the World Cup 2023, where they won all the matches with a good net run-rate. India have gone through a lot of injuries in the past where the players like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul were sidelined for months this year.
But with their recovery before the tournament was a great relief to the side. Jasprit Bumrah tops the most wicket taker in World Cup until now. On this occasion, the Indian bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey was relieved to have Bumrah for the ICC event.
When asked about Bumrah’s return, “Ask me about it, man,” said Mhambrey. “It has been tough. The last couple of years, it has been really tough.
It is tough to miss [out on] someone like Bumrah. You have seen him in the last three games that he has played. What he brings to the table. He is a world-class bowler. He gives you that breakthrough that you require in the powerplays. He’s well adapted to bowl in the middle overs and he’s a top, gun death bowler. We really missed him.”
“We must credit the staff back at the NCA, the medical department, the physios out there, and out here as well,” Mhambrey said. “And they really worked hard behind the scenes for the last few years, from where he was and to get him out here. So, credit goes to them as well.”
India will be playing against New Zealand and England in upcoming matches at Dharmasala and Lucknow stadium which will be a pitch for fast bowlers.
We go with the best combination for the surface. In that sense, he’s been a great lad. He understands that, he’s a great team guy. I’ve never seen him grumpy; I haven’t seen him complaining any time for any of the last few years that he’s been with us.”
He also spoke about leaving Mohammed Shami out, who has one of the best strike rate in ODI cricket.
“It is never an easy decision,” Mhambrey said. “But I think the conversations are around, we had a clear chat with him. Whenever we select a squad, the message from us is very clear. That we pick a squad we feel is the best for that wicket.
“And I think sometimes you will miss out. Someone like him is missing out, someone like Ash [R Ashwin] will miss out. And that’s the communication that we have with him. We are very clear. Difficult decision, honestly, given the quality that he [Shami] brings to the team, new ball, death, it is difficult to take that decision. But you have to take that decision, you only have 11 on the field.”
The fourth bowler will continue to be someone who can support the side with the bat. Ashwin can use the air to his advantage, Pune still might be ground that favours the other seamer because of its ground size and flat pitch.
“It’s been a really tough one when you have a world-class bowler within amongst your 15 and are unable to… we don’t get an opportunity to give him a great game,” Mhambrey said of Ashwin. “That’s a tough call, you have to take that tough call. But for us, the conversation has always been around the team, not only prior to this game, but the last few years.
“We go with the best combination for the surface. In that sense, he’s been a great lad. He understands that, he’s a great team guy. I’ve never seen him grumpy; I haven’t seen him complaining any time for any of the last few years that he’s been with us.
“So having someone like that, a team guy in a team really helps. The credit goes to him. Even after so many years, he’s there, he wants to do well for the team, he turns up every practice session, goes through the rigorous grind, and he keeps bowling,” he concluded.
India will be playing their next match against Bangladesh on October 19 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
