Thursday, September 28, 2023

India vs Australia: 'We're much better off for it', Rahul Dravid on returning players getting game time before World Cup

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid was pleased to see the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer get game time as the Men in Blue gear up for the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign at home.

On their return from respective injuries, Bumrah was impactful in the T20Is against Ireland in August, followed by the Asia Cup, and more recently, the ODI series against Australia.

KL Rahul, meanwhile, struck a century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, while Shreyas too did the same, against Australia in the second ODI.

Bumrah, who was troubled by a back issue that kept him out for long, bowled his full quota of overs in Mohali and Rajkot – the two matches he played against Australia – but was a bit expensive in the series-concluding third ODI.

“For all those guys game-time was important. The fact that they have been able to get that is I think something that we are much better off for it,” Dravid said after the third ODI that India lost by 66 runs.

“Jassi has been able to play a couple of games and bowl his quota of 10 overs, Siraj (was) suffering from a little bit of bug but he got back and was able to bowl,” he said.

“(For) Ashwin, it was really nice to see the way he bowled in the first two games. KL as well, the keeping right through the 50 overs, he is coming off after almost 6-7 months.

“Shreyas has played a couple of really good knocks in the last couple of games. We know we have to keep improving but also hope that we carry this momentum into the World Cup,” the India coach added.

Off-spinner R Ashwin’s inclusion in the squad for the Australia series had triggered speculation that he might be included in the final World Cup squad. However, David was non-committal.

All the teams are required to finalise their World Cup squads by Thursday.

“We have to wait for an official confirmation or a decision on that. The NCA is in touch with the selectors and Ajit (Agarkar) so I will not make any comments on that. If there is any change you will get to hear about it officially, as of now there are no changes,” Dravid said, hinting that Axar Patel will be retained in the 15-man squad.

The India coach expects India’s full strength squad to assemble in Guwahati ahead of the first warm-up match against England on 30 September.

India had only 13 players to pick their final eleven against Australia here on Wednesday as some members Shardul Thakur, Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami returned home while Ishan Kishan missed the contest due to a bug going around in the group

“The two practice or warm-up games, generally people play 15 versus 15, it is tough to sometimes get the intensity in those games but as we have seen in these three games, in hot conditions there has been a lot of intensity as well,” Dravid added.

“There was a bit of juggling we had to manage in this game but I am hoping that we have got about a week, we have got a few days. We should have the full strength squad, hopefully the bug around the group has cleared out as well. It will be nice if that happens,” the coach said.

Rohit not reading too much into third ODI defeat

India captain Rohit Sharma is extremely satisfied with his team’s World Cup preparation and wouldn’t like to read too much into the 66-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the final game of the three-match ODI series.

The skipper said he and the team management (coach Rahul Dravid) are extremely clear about the squad of 15 that will be on World Cup duty. The final squad is expected to be announced on Thursday (28 September).

“The last 7-8 ODIs we’ve played really well in different conditions. We were challenged at different times and we took that challenge really well. Unfortunately, not the result we wanted today but I’m not going to look too much into this game. We’ve been playing really well,” the skipper said at the post-match presentation.

Rohit has scored a number of half-centuries in recent games and he looked in fluent touch during his 81 on the day.

“I’m pretty happy (with my own form). Of course, I’d like to go all the way but as long as I’m hitting like that I’m happy,” he said.

While Axar Patel’s quadriceps tear keeps the team worried, Rohit was clear as to which players will be doing the job for India in the upcoming World Cup.

“When we talk about the 15-man squad we are very clear on what we want and the guys who will do the job for us. We’re not confused. We know exactly where we are heading,” he said.

There will be role for all-rounders in World Cup

Glenn Maxwell ended up with match-winning figures of 4/40 and said that since Mitchell Marsh was not on the field, he ended up bowling more overs than usual.

“Since he (Marsh) was not there, I had to bowl more. That will be the role of the allrounders in this World Cup. We are all trying to be as flexible as possible. We have a super-flexible list and it’s good to get some momentum before the World Cup,” Maxwell said after the match.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins felt that his team is better off when they bowl under lights compared to searing heat of Mohali and humidity of Indore.

“I must say I’m pretty happy to bowl in the night than in the heat,” Cummins said.

The skipper is happy with how things are panning out despite Travid Head’s injury.

“It was a great first hit out for Starc and Maxwell. They both haven’t played a lot over the last couple of months. Maxy four-for and Starcy looked like he was in great rhythm so I couldn’t be happier,” Cummins said.

He also indicated that Marsh will open the innings as it would be difficult for regular opener Travis Head to recover in time from his injury.

“(Marsh opening in the World Cup) Potentially. Head won’t be ready for the start of the tournament. The way Marsh and Warner started today looks like a pretty dangerous combination. They look pretty good.”

With inputs from PTI



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