No rest for Jasprit Bumrah before T20 World Cup, hints MI coach Kieron Pollard
MI batting coach Kieron Pollard has hinted that Jasprit Bumrah might not be rested for the remaining games in the Indian Premier League. Speaking at the post-match press conference after their win against SRH at the Wankhede Stadium, Pollard said that he was not aware of any discussion about resting Bumrah ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. With the IPL finishing on 26 May and the World Cup starting on June 1, there is not a lot of time for the players to rest. Certain sections of the fans on social media had hoped that the teams would rest their main India players in the final leg of the IPL to aid the Indian team. “I certainly haven’t had any discussions about that,” Pollard told media after the game when asked if there are any plans to rest Bumrah from MI’s remaining two matches keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule “I don’t think that’s my role and function at this point in time. But let’s see what happens. We are all here to play an entire IPL. Sometimes when we think too far ahead of different things, thinking about World Cups, all these things could affect performances even from before the team was selected,” he further added. Pollard said that their main goal was to do well in the Indian Premier League and they would focus on the same. “For us and in our camp, the most important thing is finishing off the IPL and let’s see what happens after that. When he leaves the IPL and he goes into the Indian team, I think that’s where that concession will take place,” Pollard added. MI’s last IPL game is against Lucknow Super Giants at home on May 17. If MI do not qualify, Bumrah will have a week before the team flies out to the USA. MI have 4 wins from their 12 matches this season and are at the 9th position in the Indian Premier League table. McGrath Advocates Rest For Bumrah Jasprit Bumrah needs an ‘off-season’ since his bowling action with an ‘extensive effort’ could result in ace India pacer suffering further injuries, warned legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath here on March 19. Bumrah spent a lengthy period on the sidelines for undergoing a surgery for stress fracture on his back in March 2023, while being already out of action since September 2022. In between, he also missed the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia as well as the IPL 2023. Published By: Kingshuk Kusari Published On: May 7, 2024