Xtra Time Web Desk: With exactly a month to go before the World Test Championships Final against Australia to be played at the Oval from June 7-11, there seems to be growing concerns with the form and fitness of the Indian fast bowlers. Barring the exception of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, none of the pacers in the Indian test squad for WTC Final has performed in the ongoing IPL season so far. Jaydev Unadkat, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur have injury concerns which will give sleepless nights for Rahul Dravid and his support staffs. Unadkat has been ruled out of the ongoing IPL season because of a freakish injury he suffered while bowling at the Lucknow Super Giants nets. Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur both have concerns with their hamstring, although the later did play in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Let us look at how each of the Indian pacers, part of the test squad for WTC Final has fared so far in the ongoing IPL 2023.
Mohammed Shami has been the most impressive among the pacers. The Gujarat Titans pace spearhead has grabbed 18 wickets from 10 matches at an average of 15.22. Shami has looked to be in rhythm so far in this season. He has already bowled 39 overs, the most by any Indian bowler in IPL 2023 so far. With Gujarat Titans most likely to make it to the PlayOffs, Shami may have to take further burden.
Mohammed Siraj has also looked in great form this season. The Royal Challengers Bangalore fast bowler has bowled 35 overs in 9 matches. He has also picked 15 wickets at an average of 17.20. Just like Shami, Siraj has also bowled the most for RCB. Except for the rest during the T20I series against Australia, both Shami and Siraj has been playing without a break.
Umesh Yadav has bowled only 19 overs for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023 so far. The fast bowler from Vidarbha has been suffering from a hamstring injury. He has picked only 1 wicket from 8 matches in the ongoing season at an average of 114.
Shardul Thakur’s fitness is a major concern in the lead up to the WTC Final. The Kolkata Knight Riders pacer has bowled just 14.5 overs in 7 matches, highlighting the fact that he is not hundred percent fit. Shardul has picked 4 wickets so far in this season. KKR fast bowling coach James Foster did admit that he has a niggle before flying to Hyderabad. The fast bowler from Mumbai was recalled in the Indian test squad for WTC Final, given his ability to use the English conditions.
Jaydev Unadkat has bowled just 48 balls in 3 matches before being ruled out of IPL 2023. The Lucknow Super Giants left arm pacer is currently at NCA doing his rehab. He is expected to be fit before the team travels to UK.
Earlier the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has advised its bowlers especially the fast bowlers to scale up their workload during the ongoing IPL 2023, keeping the upcoming WTC final in mind. But with so many injury concerns in recent times, things are not looking so great for the Indian team.