An injury-free India can dominate 50-overs cricket: Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the former Indian cricketer, feels that the Men in Blue can dominate the ODI format provided the team stays injury free. India are currently playing an ODI series versus the West Indies. Prior to the series, the hosts were jolted with blows after Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were ruled out. Dhawan didn’t take part in the T20Is as well.

Even as Dhawan was replaced by Mayank Agarwal after the former’s knee injury, Bhuvneshwar developed a sports hernia and made way for Shardul Thakur. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have also been in the sidelines for quite some time, recovering from back injuries. As per Srikkanth, Dhawan and Bumrah’s addition can make India a brute force to reckon with.

Srikkanth concerned by injury to pacers

“The Indian unit… is a smooth machine and one that should look at getting better with every opportunity. Add Shikhar Dhawan and Jasprit Bumrah, and this becomes one of the best combinations,” Srikkanth wrote in his column for The Times of India (TOI).

Srikkanth is worried by the frequent injuries to the fast bowlers. He said it to be a slight matter of concern, mostly in overseas conditions. “However, the speedsters meeting with constant injuries and the backup seamers not exactly firing can be a cause for slight concern against better opposition, especially away from home,” Srikkanth mentioned.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s absence could be felt

Recently, Hardik said that he will be back midway through the tour of New Zealand next year. It’s the same tour where Bumrah is also most likely to make his international return. Srikkanth sounded happy by the news of Pandya and Bumrah’s return at the highest level. However, the veteran feels that India are likely to feel Bhuvneshwar’s absence from the setup.

“Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s absence could be felt. He brought in his experience in the T20I series and it’s is unfortunate that he would be missing the one-day leg. The return of Jasprit from the next series is heartening news and so is the reported comeback of Hardik Pandya.”

“I would love to see India’s best combination turn out regularly. I can see this side dominating 50-over cricket if they remain injury free,” Srikkanth added.