Ashwin ‘comfortable during training’, says Bumrah

MOHALI, March 1: Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been recovering from an unspecified injury he suffered in January, is shaping up well and looking “comfortable during training” ahead of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, India vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah said on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old Ashwin missed the recent white-ball series against West Indies at home as well as the three-match T20I contest against visiting Sri Lanka due to the injury.
“The Test team had already come before and they were practising, he (Ashwin) is shaping up well and I don’t know, I am not aware that there are any complaints,” Bumrah said at the virtual press conference ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka beginning here from Friday.
“He (Ashwin) looked good, he looked very comfortable in training today. He was bowling, batting, fielding, he did everything, so I think he is shaping up really well.”
Acknowledging the crucial role Ashwin plays in the Indian Test team set-up, Bumrah said, “He plays a very important role whenever we play, so his role will be important and hopefully there would (will) be no troubles going forward.”
Ashwin has 430 wickets from 84 Tests.
Spectators allowed
for Mohali Test
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka, which will be superstar batter Virat Kohli’s landmark 100th match, beginning here on Friday, will be played in front of spectators, reversing an earlier decision to hold the game behind closed doors.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in a statement on Tuesday that cricket fans will be able to witness the historic moment of Kohli playing his 100th Test match.
Punjab Cricket Association confirmed that the Test match will be held at 50 per cent stadium capacity.
“The first Test between India and Sri Lanka to be played at the Punjab Cricket Stadium in Mohali will not be held behind closed doors,” Shah said in the statement. (PTI)