'We have got the skills that allow us to play different combinations' - Head Coach Rahul Dravid

India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has stated that he is happy with the current squad's strengths and skills needed ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022. Indian management has been under pressure since the news of Jasprit Bumrah's injury broke out on Thursday (September 29). But Dravid clarified that the management has got everything they were looking for prior to their preparation for the World Cup.

Bumrah's absence was clearly felt in the Asia Cup 2022 as Indian bowlers struggled to defend totals in excess of 170 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the Super 4 round. Indian bowlers copped further criticism after failing to defend the 209-run target in the first T20I match against Australia in Mohali recently.

Bumrah remains India's best hope to defend targets in the death overs and without him management will definitely struggle to find their preferred bowling combinations in different conditions.

“We've been pretty clear within the group about the kind of combinations we want and the kind of players that we are likely to play in the XI. You can't pick them many months in advance, you won't know what we will get. I think we have been pretty clear about the kinds of skills that we want. For me, that is really important, (to know) the kind of squad that we take to the World Cup.

Barring injury, what are the kinds of skills that we were looking for in different kinds of bowlers and batters. Without going in to too much detail, I think we have been always been very clear about it and I think to a large extent, we managed to get everything,” Dravid said during India's pre-match conference on Saturday (October 1).

Harshal Patel has also come off a little bit of an injury: Rahul Dravid

Among all the Indian bowlers, fans have been more critical of Harshal Patel for his recent expensive spells against Australia. He took only one wicket at a poor economy rate of 12.37 in three T20Is against Australia but was excellent against South Africa with two wickets for 26 in the first T20I on Wednesday (September 28).

Dravid highlighted that Harshal struggled due to him being undercooked because of his injury and pointed out at his recent performances in last two years.

"Harshal is a really mentally strong cricketer. He is a fantastic cricketer. If you look at his performances over the last two years, he has been absolutely phenomenal for the franchise that he plays in. Even for us, in international cricket, I think he has bowled some really, really good spells. He is preparing really well, he is practicing really hard. It can happen, he has also come off a little bit of an injury. It takes a little bit of time to get used to it," Dravid added.