Former selector Saba Karim believes that Jasprit Bumrah’s captaincy role in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland will aid the fast bowler in gaining a deeper understanding of his body as he returns to competitive cricket after a prolonged injury hiatus. Bumrah, who has been sidelined since September 2022 due to a back injury, is set to lead the Indian team in the three-match T20I series scheduled for August 18, 20, and 23, 2023.
Bumrah’s journey to recovery has been arduous, involving missed tournaments like the 2022 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup due to his back ailment. Despite being included in the squad for a January 2023 ODI series against Sri Lanka, recurring back pain forced him to withdraw once more, causing him to miss the 2023 IPL, a home Test series against Australia, and the WTC final.
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The T20I series in Ireland signifies not only Bumrah’s comeback but also a crucial phase of preparation for the impending ODI World Cup. As the linchpin of India’s pace attack, his performance and physical condition will be under close scrutiny. His debut as a team captain adds an extra layer of responsibility to his return.
However, Saba Karim believes that captaincy will not burden Bumrah further. He suggested that the leadership role could enhance Bumrah’s self-awareness about his physical condition. Karim mentioned that the team management and selectors are primarily focused on assessing Bumrah’s fitness levels and match readiness. With the T20 format being less demanding in terms of captaincy responsibilities, Karim opined that it could actually aid Bumrah’s reintegration and help him gradually regain his rhythm.
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“This (series) is a T20 format and it (captaincy) won’t add more burden on him. It will only help him to understand his body better. They (India) are playing three T20 games, he can play at different phases,” said Saba Karim, as quoted by PTI.
As Bumrah leads the Indian team and makes his comeback in the T20I series against Ireland, the focus remains on his form, fitness, and his ability to seamlessly transition into a leadership role while being mindful of his physical well-being.
