New Delhi, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Indian cricket captain Shreyas Iyer stressed the significance of match practice for fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as the team prepares for the T20 series against Afghanistan. Speaking ahead of the three-match series, Iyer noted that Bumrah’s return is crucial, especially since he has not played since July 16, 2026.
Bumrah is set to make his comeback at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. The 32-year-old has taken 121 wickets in 95 T20 internationals and has been a key player in two T20 World Cup-winning teams. His accolades include being named ‘Player of the Tournament’ in 2024 and ‘Player of the Match’ in the final against New Zealand earlier this year.
Iyer acknowledged that experienced players like Bumrah require time on the field to regain their rhythm after injury. During a press conference on Saturday, he stated, “When a player returns from injury, playing matches is essential to build confidence. He has played a lot of cricket over the years and is very experienced. However, for a player coming back from injury, I would prefer to play more matches before a tournament to gain confidence. I spoke with him yesterday, and he wants to perform well for the team to ensure we win the championship.”
The right-handed batsman expressed optimism about the team’s preparations. He mentioned that despite discussions about workload management, the high-intensity training sessions over the past two days have been productive.
“We are currently focused on tomorrow’s match. Every player returning from injury looks fit and in good shape. They are in excellent form. We had two fantastic training sessions recently. Honestly, I can’t predict how we will handle the match, but I can assure you that the team looks good, and our preparations are solid. I want to maintain a positive outlook towards the game,” Iyer added.
Yash Thakur has been called up to the squad following an injury to Harshit Rana. Iyer praised Thakur’s inclusion, noting that he made his T20 debut against Zimbabwe in July and has been associated with Punjab Kings.
Responding to a question, Iyer highlighted Thakur’s recent domestic performance, saying, “Yash has played a lot of domestic cricket and has consistently performed well for Vidarbha. He has won championships and is a player who has delivered consistently. His name was included as a backup before the Asian Games. He is an excellent bowler with experience in domestic cricket and the IPL. We have all seen him play, and he is also a fantastic fielder. Given all these qualities, I believe he is the right player to face a strong opponent and certainly possesses a champion mindset.”
Discussing the absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Iyer noted the positive return of fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. “We know how much Hardik impacts the team. Injuries to players are beyond our control. I have experienced that situation myself, as there is no substitute for a player who works hard for the team. Whoever gets the chance in his place must ensure they hold onto it and help the team win. I am glad that Nitish has recovered from his injury and looks to be in great form. He worked hard yesterday and has been putting in a lot of effort. I am excited to see him play in this series and beyond.”
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