‘IPL ideal match practice before Champions Trophy’

Sachin Tendulkar and Javagal Srinath feel T20s have helped India

Virat Kohli will be pleased with the form of his pacers, Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, Umesh, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. They head into the Champions Trophy, firing on all cylinders.

Shami was not among the top wicket-takers, but there’s no questioning his skills. He would be happy with the match practice after coming back from a long injury lay-off, and working up a rhythm towards the end of the tournament.

It augurs well for India’s chances of defending the title in England where pace bowlers are a key weapon because of the movement on offer.

The best example is Bhuvneshwar and Umesh’s performance in the 2013 edition when they played a key role in helping India lift the trophy.

While attributing the good bowling performances in the IPL due to the dry wickets, former India bowling spearhead Javagal

Srinath felt it’s been a good preparation for the pacers.

“Looking at their overall performance, all these guys (Bhuvneshwar & Co) are doing a great job. It’s about game preparation and they have been playing continuously, which will help them (in the Champions Trophy),” said Srinath.

“The challenge (to adjust) is when you bowl in different formats with a different ball, but in the Champions Trophy it will be a continuation of what they have been doing, playing with a white ball.

“In fact, the conditions will only help because the wickets will be lively (in UK). It has been a good preparation for them,” observed Srinath.

While it remains to be seen whether they will be affected by fatigue after the non-stop travelling in IPL, the 15-day gap ordered by the Committee of Administrators should help them recover.