Mumbai: Former India pacer and now the Director of Cricket Operations at Mumbai Indians, Zaheer Khan on Tuesday said that the team is equipped with able support staff and will produce same intensity on the ground without overthinking about the workload. “I know there’s been a lot of talk about the World Cup and workload but we need to trust the Indian team and every member who takes the flight. We should not pressurise them. We all need to make peace with the workload scenario and back the players,” he said.
He said playing more games during the Indian Premier League (IPL) will instead help players react better to the crunch situations at the World Cup and will keep players in the groove for the mega event in England. “Personally, playing more and more games has always helped me. It is very crucial to maintain same intensity.” Mumbai Indians have some important players in their line-up who are also expected to be a part of India’s playing XI in England.
Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are both prone to injuries but the former Indian pacer said they have the services of bowling coach Shane Bond to monitor different aspects of their bowling and fitness. “The kind of injury Hardik Pandya suffered during the Asia Cup, he of course needs to be taken care of.” “That’s why we have the great Shane Bond with us, who himself had back issues during his playing days. So Bond is the right guy to whom he (Pandya) should be talking to. He is someone who had same issue with his back which eventually had an effect on his career,” said Zaheer.
Rohit Sharma too said that being over-concerned about the workload will only put doubts in the players’ minds and hamper their performances. “I’ve spoken to the boys myself in the Indian team, who are now playing with us – they all are eager to play and maintain the same intensity,” he said.
Rohit Sharma confirms his batting spot
Mumbai: Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma confirmed he will open the batting for the three-time champions in most of the matches in IPL 2019. Rohit also added that the move to open the batting for Mumbai Indians has been taken, keeping in mind the preparations for 2019 World Cup, starting May 30 in England and Wales.
“My approach will be the same as it is for any tournament. I have in the past batted in the middle order and I have opened as well in a few games. Yeah, wherever the team requires me to bat, I have to bat there. We have to make sure we get the right balance and team composition,” Rohit told the media on Tuesday.
