NEW DELHI: The iconic West Indies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose, renowned for his towering stature of 6 feet 7 inches and thunderous deliveries unleashed from over 9 feet, remains one of the finest bowlers of his era. Currently a commentator and coach, Ambrose shared his thoughts on the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup set to unfold in India this year.
Ambrose emphasised the significance of the return of Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah to the squad, asserting that Bumrah's inclusion could potentially elevate India to favourites in the tournament on home soil. Ambrose, offering his expert advice, suggested that Bumrah should gradually regain his pace upon his comeback.
Scheduled to commence from October 5, the ODI World Cup will showcase cricketing prowess on Indian grounds. India will start their campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8.
"Jasprit Bumrah is an exceptional bowler, and his return to the Indian squad is bound to inject depth and versatility into the Indian bowling lineup. His presence in the World Cup can potentially position India as front-runners. Bumrah's capacity to bowl effectively during the death overs adds immense value to the team's strategy. However, making a comeback after an injury is a challenging journey," Ambrose said in a Revsportz's show.
"In the initial stages, Jasprit should adopt a gradual approach. My advice to him is to take it step by step. Immediately unleashing his full pace in every match may not be the optimal path to recovery," Ambrose advised.
"He should allocate time for regaining his peak pace, easing into it upon his return. This approach is crucial for him to regain his prime form. Despite extensive training sessions, match scenarios differ substantially. Hence, during matches, Bumrah should refrain from rushing his pace restoration process to mirror his pre-injury performance. Once he accumulates several matches under his belt, he can then resume his previous bowling style," he further elaborated.
Ambrose also highlighted Bumrah's pivotal role in the team's dynamics, likening him to Virat Kohli in the Indian bowling unit. Bumrah's recent T20I series against Ireland provided evidence of his fitness and form. Leading a youthful Indian side to a 2-0 victory in the three-match series, Bumrah claimed four wickets across two games, with his best figures recorded at 2/15.
(With inputs from ANI)
