On the morning of the Bangladesh game, his fitness would be evaluated, and Varma would be informed as well.
Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer participated in the Thursday optional training session at the R Premadasa Stadium after missing the final two Asia Cup matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to back spasms.
Iyer, who had rejoined the team after having back surgery in April, began the workouts with a few rounds of jogging, then did a few brief sprints under the supervision of trainer S Rajnikanth, who had assisted him during his recuperation. In order to facilitate the comebacks of Iyer, Rahul, and Jasprit Burmah into the national fold, where their workloads are being handled individually, India’s team management brought in Rajnikanth, who is based at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, prior to the Asia Cup.
Iyer only tapped the deliveries after Rajnikanth and video analyst Hari Prasad Mohan offered him 20 minutes of under-arm throwdowns after he finished his warm-ups. The support crew then instructed him to bat in the nets, where he faced net bowlers for almost 30 minutes in the oppressive heat, displaying no signs of discomfort.
Even though Ishan Kishan has been stepping in for him in the middle order while he is away, Iyer’s comfort during training would have given India a break. Only Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma had shown up for this optional net session. But the support staff’s attention was also focused on the former.
Given the lack of significance of the match—India has already clinched the championship, and Bangladesh has been eliminated—India may make changes, especially after facing Pakistan and Sri Lanka back-to-back. In addition to keeping some of them fresh for the championship game, this is the perfect moment to give some of them the much-needed game time before the World Cup.
Although it is reported that Iyer is recovering well, it is not certain whether he will be ready to play on Friday. It would be fantastic if he could. On the morning of the game, he will be evaluated once more.
However, his chances of joining the World Cup squad appear slim if he suffers any further setbacks and is not well before the three-match ODI series against Australia that starts on September 22. Although Yadav is in the squad to serve as a middle-order cover, it is known that the club is keeping Varma as an option. The left-hander would be favoured since he can bowl useful off-spin.
Varma has spent a lot of time bowling to other batters in the nets after his batting session is over on this tour. Jadeja, who has been helping the child with the grip and release points, would frequently supervise. It is unclear whether India would play him ahead of Yadav on Friday, but considering the injury issues with Iyer, they may be intrigued to check how Varma’s game is progressing as well.
A pause for Tilak
“There is a chance (for Tilak to play), but the team hasn’t been chosen yet. It will be decided by Rahul and Rohit. However, the player is unquestionably prepared, and many others are also game-ready, according to Paras Chambray, India’s bowling coach.
Mhambrey, who collaborated with Varma during the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, thought India may benefit from using his bowling abilities. “We discovered he has that bowling skill while we were in South Africa. In order to use it, we continually work on it. This one over might become two overs if the captain feels confident that he can bowl one over in the game and deliver,” he remarked.
The majority of India’s expert batters don’t bowl, so that would be a useful choice. “It depends on the circumstances in which we require the additional bowler. An off-spinner can be employed in situations where we need one, particularly when lefties are batting. He has the opportunity to play, if that’s what you’re asking,” he remarked.
India is once again planning to use a horses for courses policy when it comes to its bowling unit, depending on the circumstances.
