15-Oct-2024 02:28 PM
3093
Bengaluru, Oct 15 (Reporter) In a strategic move to bolster India’s fast-bowling arsenal ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, captain Rohit Sharma has announced plans to take young bowlers Nitish Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Mayank Yadav to Australia. This initiative aims not only to enhance the squad's depth but also to ensure a robust backup plan for potential injuries.
Rohit’s vision centres on developing a strong bench of fast bowlers, a crucial aspect of the team’s long-term strategy. "We want to create bench strength, particularly among fast bowlers. Right now, we have 8 or 9 options. It's not just about 3 or 4. When it comes to batting, we have plenty of options, and we want to do the same with our bowlers," he told reporters on the eve of the First Test against New Zealand at Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday.
The captain underscored the significance of closely monitoring these emerging talents, especially given their previous injury challenges. "The reason we wanted to keep them close to us is because we're considering taking them to Australia. We just want to monitor them, see their workloads. A lot of these guys have had injuries in the past, so it's important to build them up and see what they can offer," Rohit added.
Rohit expressed optimism about the young players’ potential, noting their previous experiences in domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup. "If tomorrow we feel they're ready to take the field, we should have them prepared," he remarked, highlighting the importance of readiness for Test cricket.
Rohit acknowledged that while these players may lack extensive red-ball cricket experience, they have demonstrated commendable ability in a short time. "We want to see if they're ready for Test cricket. We aim to create bench strength so that if someone gets injured, we won’t be worried," he explained.
Focusing on Mayank Yadav specifically, Rohit reiterated the need for a cautious approach due to the bowler's injury history. "Mayank has shown what he can do, but we want to be careful with him. He's had a lot of injuries in the past, so we're progressing him carefully. It's all about building him gradually, rather than pushing him straight into international cricket," he concluded.
As the Border-Gavaskar series approaches, Rohit Sharma’s proactive strategy underscores a commitment to building a resilient team capable of facing the challenges ahead while nurturing the next generation of Indian fast bowlers...////...