Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to play Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test match against England. India trail 1-0 in the five-match series after losing the opening Test match by five wickets against England at Leeds, Headingley.
Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings as he returned with figures of 5-83. However, Bumrah went wicketless in the second innings, which was surprising.
It has already been revealed by the team management that Bumrah would play only three Test matches on the England tour. Ashwin said he would bring in Kuldeep Yadav to India’s playing XI and would not make any other changes.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Considering we are 1-0 down, I’d ask Bumrah to play the second Test, and try to get even in the series, and then he can take the break. Since there is a considerable break between the 3rd and 4th Test, he can take rest then, and play the 2nd Test. I’ll just bring Kuldeep in, and not do any other changes.”
Praising Bumrah’s performance, Ashwin said, “There have been many batting greats from India who have been elevated to a god-like status in our country. We haven’t lifted him up to that level, yet. But what a performer he is! What a skilful bowler!”
On the other hand, Ashwin urged Mohammed Siraj to do the holding job at one end and bowl economical spells to keep the pressure on the England batters.
“My only question is to Siraj… can you just dry up the run flow? You don’t have to pick up wickets, but can you not give away 4 or 5 runs in every over? The thing is, if runs are being leaked, then you have to bring Bumrah back into the attack. How many dams will Bumrah be able to construct? Also, he gets tired, and his spells are pushed, and by then, partnerships are forged. Or you’d have to go with (Ravindra) Jadeja, who has to step in to stem the flow of runs. Prasidh (Krishna) is playing for the first time, and he is inexperienced. So, Siraj has to play the bankable role.”
Barring Bumrah, all the Indian bowlers looked toothless, especially in the first innings of the opening Test.
The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.
