Paras Mhambrey, India's bowling coach, said on Thursday that the return of Jasprit Bumrah has strengthened their pace unit, and it is pleasing to have four fully fit fast bowlers heading into next month's World Cup.
Bumrah returned to India's lineup after a lengthy injury layoff during the previous tour to Ireland, and he impressed with his intensity throughout the ongoing Asia Cup as well.
"We have been following Bumrah's progress from the NCA, and we are very happy with the report that we have got.
"Now, we have four quality bowlers, and it is always great to have those options. The problem of plenty is always good," Mhambrey said ahead of India's final Super 4 match against Bangladesh on Friday.
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However, India's preferred pace attack is now based on Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Hardik Pandya, prompting the management to bench Mohammed Shami.
"It's not very easy to drop someone like Shami. The experience that he has and the performance that he has done for the country is phenomenal. It's never easy to have that kind of a conversation (dropping a player)," he said.
Mhambrey stated that, while it was a difficult decision, the player in question had been informed clearly of the team's decision.
"But we are clear in the way we have gone about the conversation with the players and they have shown confidence in us.
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"Players know any decision that we take and they know that it is for the benefit of the team," said Mhambrey.
The former India pacer was also pleased with Pandya's recent improvements as a bowler.
"I am very happy with the way Hardik has shaped up, something that we have worked on for a long time. We have been managing his workload, making sure that he is fit and able to achieve what we expect out of him.
"Once he hits 140 kmph he is a different bowler. From the team perspective it's a wicket-taking option that we have," added Mhambrey.
Mhambrey also stated that the Indian squad has begun the process of refining some batsmen's bowling talents so that they have more options to pick from when needed.
Tilak Varma plays an important role in that programme.
“I have been working with Tilak since his U-19 days. We were in South Africa and we realised he had bowling skills. We are working on it consistently.
"If the captain gets confidence that he can bowl one over and deliver, this one over can turn into two overs. But it depends on circumstances where we need that extra bowler," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
