Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Jasprit Bumrah might not play in the two-match Test series against the West Indies. Bumrah had recently played only three out of five Test matches against England to manage his workload.
The ace pacer had scalped 14 wickets in three games at an average of 26 but faced a lot of criticism regarding picking and choosing Test matches. Bumrah is currently playing in the ongoing Asia Cup, and he was also rested in the last Group A fixture against Oman.
“The Test selection is about to happen. It’s a two-match series which will start on October 2. The West Indies team will be in front of them, and India have to pick their team. Again, the big question will be whether Bumrah will play. I think he won’t play,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“The Asia Cup final will be played on September 28 and you won’t see him playing Test series continuously in any case. He won’t play the first Test 100 percent. The West Indies games, I am not being disrespectful, and wins aren’t guaranteed in home games, New Zealand showed that to us recently, but they can be left,” he added.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator reckons India can play the spin trio of Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja in the home conditions, which are conducive for spin-bowling.
“You can play a spin trio here. Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja can play together here, and then the two fast bowlers, who can be Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. You will be able to manage without Bumrah. So I feel Bumrah’s chances of playing here are slightly less,” he said.
Furthermore, Chopra reckons Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be part of India’s bowling line-up.
“I don’t think he will get picked. He will be rested. Four spinners – Axar (Patel), Jadeja, Kuldeep and Washington Sundar. I think three pacers – Prasidh, Siraj and Akash Deep, and another fast-bowling all-rounder in the form of Nitish Kumar Reddy,” Chopra observed.
The opening Test match between India and the West Indies will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, from October 2 onwards.
