Virat Kohli does not need us, we need him: Bumrah
Bumrah, however, stressed that Kohli knows his cricket better than anyone else and that his experience of batting in these challenging conditions was essential from the team’s perspective.
Even before India’s first game in the 2019 edition of the World Cup, the Indian team management had a scare when skipper Virat Kohli injured his thumb during a training session at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Kohli was seen walking off the ground with his right-thumb dipped in ice on Saturday. Before that, Team India physiotherapist Patrick Farhart attended him and assessed the situation. While it is still unclear if Kohli hurt his thumb while batting or fielding, Farhart took all the necessary precautions as the run-machine looked in discomfort. But there is still no official word from the BCCI on the injury.
The Indians still have two more days to go before they play the Proteas and the team management will be hoping that the skipper is fit in time for the toss on Wednesday.
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The Men in Blue, tipped as one of the favourites to win the World Cup, did not have an ideal preparation for the showpiece event as they were thrashed by New Zealand in the first warm-up game.
India were bowled out for a mere 179 by the Black Caps who chased down the target with six wickets in hand. However, Kohli and boys did manage to make a strong comeback in their second and final warm-up game where they defeated Bangladesh by 95 runs. K.L. Rahul and M.S. Dhoni had scored brilliant hundreds in that match and showed signs of being in form.
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