Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble questioned England’s selection for the first Test match against India at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad on Thursday. With Harry Brook opting out of the Test series due to personal reasons, Kumble thought England had the option of playing Jonny Bairstow as a wicket-keeper and playing an extra bowler.
However, England decided to play a specialist wicket-keeper in Ben Foakes and played a solitary fast bowler in Mark Wood, leaving out veteran pacer James Anderson.
Barring Jack Leach, England has an inexperienced spin attack. While Rehan Ahmed is playing his second Test match, Tom Hartley made his Test debut against India at Hyderabad.
“It will all depend on how Jack Leach leads the spin attack. Three spinners, of course, the English management obviously have had a look at the pitch and they believe that it’s going to take turn,” Kumble replied to a PTI query during an interaction organised by Jio Cinema.
“In that sense, just with one fast bowler in that lineup, it’ll be interesting to see how they go about because I certainly thought that once Harry Brook was unavailable, they had the choice to go with Jonny Bairstow as the keeper and then bring in another fast bowler.
“They brought in Ben Foakes, which means that he will keep with just that one fast bowler. We don’t know how much of bowling Ben Stokes is going to do, it’ll be interesting to see how they go about but (it is a) highly inexperienced bowling lineup,” Kumble said.
The former leg-spinner, who was known for his accurate line and length, predicted that Ahmed and Hartley would have a tough time while bowling in Indian conditions.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge for those young spinners, especially Rehan and Hartley to build pressure on this wonderful Indian batting lineup.”
The former Indian captain predicted that India will win the ongoing five-match Test series against the Ben Stokes-led team.
“I’m not a guy with a crystal ball but I can certainly see India winning the series. I am thinking all five (Tests) would provide results because of the approach that these two teams have towards Test cricket,” he said.
“Unless and until weather intervenes, all five Test matches would have results. I would give one to England and four to India,” he added.
India were 119-1 at the end of the opening day’s play after England were bundled out for 246.
