If you rush Jasprit Bumrah for the World Cup, then you might lose him for four months: Ravi Shastri

Former Indian skipper and head coach Ravi Shastri has warned the Indian team to refrain from rushing Jasprit Bumrah to the national side in a World Cup year. Bumrah, who is recovering from a much-maligned back injury, is reportedly set to make his comeback during India's tour of Ireland in August. 

Team India received a major boost when reports suggested Jasprit Bumrah's early return to the national side. The star pacer is reportedly set to make his comeback during India's tour of Ireland in the lead-up to this year's Asia Cup. 

However, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri gave his blunt take on the topic, suggesting India refrain from rushing Bumrah into the team. He cited the example of Pakistani speedster Shaheen Afridi, who made an early comeback to the national side during last year's T20 World Cup. Bumrah missed last year's T20 World Cup after he made an early comeback in the Australia series in the lead-up to the ICC mega event.

"He (Bumrah) is a very important cricketer. But if you rush him for the World Cup, then you might lose him for four months later on, much like Shaheen Afridi. So there's a thin line, and it needs to be thought about," Shastri said speaking exclusively to The Week.

I feel Hardik Pandya should take over the captaincy in white-ball cricket: Shastri

The former Indian captain also touched on the debate surrounding Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the red-ball side. Shastri, who has worked closely with the star all-rounder, feels Pandya's body is not in a state to cope with Test cricket at the moment. He further remarked that the Gujarat Titans' skipper should take over the white-ball captaincy in the future. 

Let's be clear. His body (Hardik) cannot cope with Test cricket. After the World Cup, I feel he should take over captaincy in white-ball cricket. Rohit should lead India in the World Cup, no question there," Shastri added.