Ahmedabad, February 17 India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, stated on Tuesday that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will not be rested for the final Group A match against the Netherlands here, despite the hosts having already qualified for the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
Bumrah played a crucial role in Sunday's high-stakes match against Pakistan, dismissing key batsmen like opener Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha. His timely wickets effectively ended Pakistan's chase, which ultimately ended in a 61-run defeat.
With a focus on preserving his fitness, the BCCI's sports science team has carefully managed Bumrah's workload, resting him on several occasions when the team management deemed it necessary.
"I don't think Bumrah will rest. We will decide later," Kotak said during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Speaking about opener Abhishek Sharma's fitness after a stomach bug forced him to be hospitalised and also miss the game against Namibia, Kotak remained optimistic.
Abhishek returned for the Pakistan clash but was dismissed for a duck. However, Kotak expressed confidence in the youngster's temperament, describing him as a self-assured player who is certain to bounce back stronger.
"He wasn't well. In the last game, he got out in the first over. We don't want to overanalyze. He has his plans sorted," Kotak said when asked if teams have decoded the flamboyant opener's game.
Kotak praised opener Ishan Kishan's temperament, saying the wicketkeeper-batter was a "confident" player.
"He has always been a very confident player since his younger days. That mindset helps in T20 cricket," Kotak said about Kishan, whose half-century played a crucial role in India's 61-run victory over Pakistan.
Kotak added that India will not take the Netherlands lightly.
"From the beginning of this World Cup, we have seen that any team can beat any team. That is why every game is important," Kotak said.
