Praveen Kumar’s absence due to injury is a big loss, reckons experienced India medium-pacer Ashish Nehra.
Kumar, who suffered an elbow injury before the ODI series in South Africa, was on Tuesday ruled out of the mega event. Kerala seamer Shantakumaran Sreesanth was subsequently named in place of the Uttar Pradesh bowler.
“Injury to Praveen Kumar is bad. He has been a good bowler for India and has been picking up crucial wickets at the top order. It is obviously a big loss not to have a bowler like Praveen in the line-up,” the left-arm pacer told DNA.
“The youngster has improved a lot over the years. He has developed good swing and could move the ball both ways, which is always an advantage for a medium-pacer,” Nehra said of Kumar.
However, the veteran said that Sreesanth is a good replacement for Kumar. “He (Sreesanth) has improved well since he made his return to the Indian team. His bowling in the Test series was pretty good. He won a match (Durban) and has the knack of taking wickets at the right time. I feel Sreesanth is the ideal replacement for Praveen Kumar,” Nehra said.
The 29-year-old feels that the Indian attack is quite balanced, with Zaheer Khan in lead role. “It is quite a balanced attack. We have a good seam attack in Zak, me and Munaf,” Nehra said.
“In fact Munaf has improved quite a lot. He has been bowling a tight line. He hardly gives any runs and puts pressure from one end. That gives a chance for the bowler to take wickets from the other end. Now Sreesanth is also there. I think it’s a very good and experienced attack that all of us can bowl well in the subcontinent,” Nehra said.
Comments