Former Indian batting coach Abhishek Nayar feels India should rest Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test match against the West Indies but admitted it might not happen. Bumrah has been rested from the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
The ace pacer had played three out of the five Test matches against England to manage his workload. Bumrah was then rested in dead rubber contests against Oman and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
The gun fast bowler had returned with figures of 3-42 in the first innings of the opening Test match against the West Indies at Ahmedabad.
“It seems like that, considering the team that has been picked. He (Bumrah) has been rested from the ODI team. So the thought process would be to win this Test match as well because it’s very important from the WTC points perspective,” Abhishek Nayar said on Star Sports show Game Plan.
“However, I believe he should be rested because he is an extremely valuable bowler for you. There are Test matches again after the Australia series, and then the T20 World Cup will come. So I would want Jasprit Bumrah to rest, but it doesn’t seem like he will,” Nayar reasoned.
On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav has been in fine form as he scalped 17 wickets in the Asia Cup. Yadav bagged a total of four wickets in the opening Test match against the West Indies and Nayar added the wrist spinner will enjoy bowling in Delhi.
“He will enjoy bowling in Delhi. His resurrection of sorts happened in Delhi, when he started playing the IPL from there. With the skid he gets on that pitch, he becomes more effective there. He would want to make an impact in matches in India,” he replied.
“If he picks up wickets consistently here, when you travel as well, questions might be raised on the game plan of having an extra batter. However, for that, it’s extremely important that he picks up wickets in this series and the upcoming Tests against South Africa, and in such a way that one should feel Kuldeep Yadav has to play if any foreign team comes to India,” Nayar observed.
The second Test match between India and the West Indies will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, from Friday.
