After registering their first home win in the ICC World Test Championship, team India’s next stop is at Pune. The second Test of the series against South Africa is scheduled to begin on Oct 10.
In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, India’s head coach Ravi Shastri expressed his opinion regarding the team’s recent performance. Shastri praised Indian pacer Mohammed Shami for his brilliant bowling on the last day of the first Test, picking five wickets.
“To bounce back from personal issues and bowl the way he did was remarkable. He is relentless, very skillful, and at you all the time. I would have hated to face him,” said Shastri.
Shastri revealed his concerns regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s injury. Bumrah was ruled out of the Test series due to a stress fracture in his back. He is currently in London as he is undergoing further examination.
“Very concerned (regarding Bumrah’s injury). Because he is precious, special, different, and a match-winner. They are taking opinions on whether he needs surgery. We have to be careful about his workload because he plays all three formats,” said Shastri.
Shastri also expressed his views regarding Dhoni’s return. Indian former captain was unavailable for team selection for the tour of West Indies and the home series against South Africa.
“He (Dhoni) will go down as one of our greatest players, very, very high up the list. Whether he wants to come back, that’s for him to decide. I have not met him after the World Cup. He has to first start playing and let’s see how things go,” told Shastri.
