Jasprit Bumrah will have some little bit of hiccups here and there: Lakshmipathy Balaji

Former India international Lakshmipathy Balaji believes that Jasprit Bumrah’s return to international cricket will not be a smooth one. After the back surgery, the cricketer took a long time to recover and hence, Balaji believes that he will have a little bit of hiccups here and there. Meanwhile, the three-match T20I series against Ireland holds a lot of value as his fitness will be closely monitored before BCCI selectors take a final call on Asia Cup and World Cup squad.

Notably, after the surgery, Bumrah was training hard at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. VVS Laxman, the chief of NCA was closely working with him for his development but yet so, Balaji feels that the pacer might face some challenges after a long break. He believes everything will feel new for Bumrah and that he will have to work extremely hard.

“Any back surgery, it’ll have some little bit of hiccups here and there. But that is the maximum you can do. For conservative healing, if it has not healed, and you have the surgery option and to take it and then come back, it’s the last stage... So, everything is going to be new (for him), and again getting back, there will be challenges, but that is what makes individuals perform higher,” Balaji stated while talking to Sportstar.

In white-ball cricket, Siraj has done exceedingly well: Balaji

Mohammed Siraj has been a force to reckon with in the past year. In the absence of Bumrah, he has lived up to his expectations and will be extremely important for the national team in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. Speaking about the same, Balaji lauded the cricketer, saying that he has done exceedingly well and with him being in form, India have a very good chance to win their third ODI World Cup.

“Siraj has done well. In the recent past in white-ball cricket, Siraj has done exceedingly well. So, it’s up to the selection committee and the team management. But we have got a very good chance (of winning the World Cup) this time!” Balaji mentioned.