Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Layoff will help Jasprit Bumrah – Glenn McGrath | Glenn McGrath shares his thoughts on Jasprit Bumrah

Legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has said that the injury layoff will help Jasprit Bumrah recover strength and come back stronger for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup this year.

Bumrah, who last represented India in the three-match T20I series against Australia in September 2022, has been named captain for the team’s tour to Ireland later this month. McGrath acknowledged that he hasn’t seen Bumrah bowl ever since he rounded off his rehabilitation. However, the 53-year-old hailed the fast bowler’s quality and claimed that he should be delivering at full throttle like he used to do before.

Glenn McGrath backs Jasprit Bumrah to make strong return from injury

“The layoff will help him, I think,” McGrath said. “Fast bowlers need that layoff and time to get the strength back in their bodies. It depends on the work he has done off the field, how his back is and if he has done anything to his action. I think he has been there before and he has achieved it.”

He added, “I haven’t seen him bowl. So, time will tell. Only he knows where he is now. So, I will be watching him keenly to see him get back to where he was. The effort and energy he puts in takes a toll on the body. If he has put enough work on the field, I can’t see a reason why he cannot go back to being where he previously was.”

McGrath mentioned that to stay away from the game for 11 months is a hard task. However, he explained that it only takes a few games to get into the groove after coming back from a lengthy layoff.

Further, he quipped that Bumrah does have those many games in his hand ahead of the World Cup. Post the Ireland series, India will be playing the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka before hosting Australia in a three-match ODI series.