Follow UsIt might have been only three games in the World Cup for India so far, but the indications are already there. The Rohit Sharma-led side have been clinical in their approach, with a combination of two pacers - Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj - two spinners - Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, and two all-rounders in the form of Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya.
That meant the duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami have been sitting out for the majority of matches. Shedding light on that, India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey stated that the conversation with the players is pretty clear, and the duo of Shami and Ashwin understand the team dynamics.
“See, honestly, it is never an easy decision. But I think the conversations are around; we had a clear chat with him,” Mhambrey said of Shami.
“Whenever we select a squad, the messages from us are 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 will miss out. And I think that's the communication we have with him; we are very clear. Difficult decision, honestly; even with the quality that he brings to the team, new ball, and death, it is difficult to make that decision. But you must take that decision; you only have eleven on the field.
Speaking of Ashwin, Mhambrey added, “We go with the side what is the best, obviously the surface, depend on what surface we're playing, but the best combination that we feel will be helpful on that 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. And I think credit goes to him. Even after so many years, I think he's there; he wants to do well for the team, he turns up every practice session, goes through the rigorous grinds, and he keeps bowling. So, I think he's a great team man, and I must compliment that.”
India lost to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, and that made it their loss to the Asian neighbors in the last four ODIs. While India will certainly be wary of them, Mhambrey singled out Taskin Ahmed as a potential threat to the overall plan.
“To be honest, Taskin has shown, I've seen whatever I've seen of Taskin in the last few years. I think he is one of the good fast bowlers you see worldwide. He's done, played well, performed in different venues, different surfaces, maybe Bangladesh. Never an easy kind of surface out there, not too seamer-friendly, but whatever he has done, he is a really good bowler.
“But others, I think when you are part of an international squad, you have to be good to represent your country. So, in that sense, others have been good enough. And spinners as well, Tas - you have both the Mehdis, who have done well. It's a good squad, and it's a good bowling attack,” Mhambrey added.