Asia Cup 2023: ​​We have a whole month to build him up before the World Cup – Rahul Dravid on handling Jasprit Bumrah’s workload

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has shed light on Jasprit Bumrah’s return to International cricket. Dravid, India’s former number three, said they have a whole month to build Bumrah up before the all-important World Cup.

Bumrah recently made a return to the top level after September 2022 in the three-match T20I series against Ireland, which India won by 2-0. The gun fast bowler scalped four wickets in the two matches against the Irish team at an average of 9.75 and led from the front.

Bumrah had to undergo a knife and he was recovering at the National Cricket Academy. After an impressive return against Ireland, the ace pacer was also added to the Asia Cup squad. Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 121 wickets in 72 ODI matches at an average of 24.3 and an economy rate of 4.63.

There is no doubt that Bumrah is going to hold the key for India in the upcoming ODI showpiece. Furthermore, along with Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna also made a comeback after recuperating from injury. Krishna snared a total of four wickets in the two T20Is against Ireland and Dravid is happy with the duo’s return.

“It is great to have them back. Jasprit is someone who we have missed a lot, over the last two years he has not played too many games,” Dravid said. “We will ease him into it slowly. It was nice for him to get those overs in the tour of Ireland. We have a whole month to build him up before the World Cup. It gives us more options in the pace bowling department.”

“Especially in a long tournament like a World Cup, even if people do not make the final 15, you want to know that there are a couple of guys out there who are fit and have the quality to replace in case something happens,” he continued.

Meanwhile, India has an experienced squad as they have players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami. Dravid added it is good to have leadership in the team as the veterans can guide the young players on the right track.

“It is good to have some experienced players within the group, guys who have led in the past, guys who are leading right now,” Dravid continued. “We have had to rotate quite a lot, there have been a lot of tours and a lot of injuries happening. So, there have been quite a few captains over the last couple of years. Just the nature of circumstances that we found ourselves in. It is good to have that knowledge in the group.”

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.