Never easy! Bowling coach on Ashwin-Shami's return in IND vs BAN clash

There will be no Mohammad Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin or Suryakumar Yadav in India vs Bangladesh clash. India Cricket Time has refused to rotate the squad for IND vs BAN clash on Thursday in Pune. India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey confirmed that there has not been any discussion regarding a rotation.

“Yeah, I think it’s important to maintain this start really. So as of now, there is no discussion of kind of rotation from our point of view. I think it is important to carry this momentum for the next game as well. No thought as such,” Paras Mhambrey said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

Shardul Thakur to continue

So far, Ashwin has played one game in Chennai where three spinners were a must. But Mohammad Shami hasn’t yet featured in the Playing XI as India haven’t played any game on a seam-friendly pitch.

Shardul Thakur provides an extra cushion of batting in the lower order. His bowling skills also help restrict Hardik Pandya to 5-6 overs, keeping him fresh. And the same is expected to continue in IND vs BAN clash. And in the horses-for-courses method, Shmai and Ashwin will feature only when there is a necessity of playing an extra seamer of an extra spinner.

“See, honestly, it is never an easy decision. But I think the conversations are around. We had a clear chat with him (Shami). Whenever we select a squad, the message from us is very clear. That we pick a squad we feel is the best for that wicket. Someone like him is missing out, someone like Ash will miss out. And I think that’s the communication that we have with him, we are very clear,” Paras Mhambrey added.

No plans for SKY

Another player who is yet to make his Cricket World Cup debut is Suryakumar Yadav. With Shreyas Iyer back from injury and back in form, he has made No 4 spot his own. In fact, in the Top 6, there has been no place open for SKY to come in. And unless there is a thought of rotating the squad, SKY will continue on the bench, as a reserve in IND vs BAN clash.

“Surya is a champion. He is a match-winner and he’s shown you. The last innings that he played, the way he toils. He is a 360 player that we have been talking about. He is a difficult batsman to bowl, especially – anywhere. He is a 360 player, a difficult batsman to bowl to. And yes, it’s a difficult decision, I said. It’s like Ashwin or like Shami, Surya is a quality player. It’s difficult to miss someone like him in the team or get him. But you need to create an opportunity, a place for him to play,” Paras Mhambrey added.

“The question then asked is, who do you replace him with? So that’s always a challenge. People always say, he should be playing. I think he should be playing. But the question sometimes is, in whose place? I think that’s a challenge. He is a match winner for you and I am sure he will get an opportunity. If opportunity arises, he will get his game.”

Not taking Bangladesh lightly

With three losses in the last four ODIs against Bangladesh, India certainly won’t be taking Bangladesh lightly. Paras Mhambrey said in the Cricket World Cup, every team can pose a challenge. Afghanistan have beaten defending world champion England while the Netherlands have stunned South Africa already. Hence, IND vs BAN clash serve a surprise too.

“I think honestly, I thought when you enter a World Cup, every team will pose you a challenge. So, from our perspective, maybe any team I don’t think we’ll take anyone lightly. That’s the discussion that we had. From our point of view, we will face different challenges as we are playing in nine different venues, nine different surfaces. So, we want to prepare for that. So maybe Bangladesh or maybe Netherlands, I think we want to treat that game equally important,” Mhambrey said.