By News18
Ever since India lost the first Test to England at Headingley, speculations have been rife about Jasprit Bumrah鈥檚 participation in the next fixture, in Birmingham, starting Wednesday. The mandate was clear even before Team India flew to the UK 鈥 Bumrah鈥檚 back will allow him to play only three of the five matches in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. However, what transpired in Leeds last week, seemingly became an SOS call.
Despite scoring over 800 runs across innings, India lost the game by 5 wickets and currently trail 0-1 in the series. Bumrah, who picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings, returned empty-handed in the second while the others failed to pull off anything extraordinary. The matter of the fact is, if India visibly struggled with their MVP, imagine how would they perform without him.
Ideally after a week-long break, the right-arm quick should be ready for another face-off but it depends upon situation of his back, which only he would know. He has been sweating out in the nets for the past couple of days and even skipper Shubman Gill and assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate, have assured that he is available for selection.
However, the final call will be taken on the game day.
The question here is, if not Bumrah then who? Unlike the previous tour, India don鈥檛 have the services of the likes of Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami and currently, they鈥檝e got a comparatively inexperienced bowling attack. Then who is the man for the job?
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has suggested that India can bring in Akash Deep to get things done for India in Bumrah鈥檚 absence. Replying to a CNN-News18 query at a select media interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network, the former all-rounder said Akash could make a difference.
鈥淚 think Akash Deep is a right guy [if Bumrah doesn鈥檛 play]. He is a very much Shami kind of a bowler who has got a straight seam. He can actually beat the batters with surprise. He has got off the pitch zip. So, he is the guy who should be playing and if Bumrah is not playing, great,鈥 Pathan said.
But beyond Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and for that matter, Bumrah, India also have an out-and-out left-arm seamer in Arshdeep Singh who is yet to be tested in the longer format. Usually, untested weapons cause the maximum damage on most occasions and given India鈥檚 current situation, an impact bowler can only bail them out.
Irfan, a former left-arm quick with a hat-trick in Tests, said 鈥榣eft is always right鈥 and if India want to apply that formula, then Prasidh Krishna might bear the brunt after a torrid run in Leeds.
鈥淎bout Arshdeep Singh, look, I always believe left is right. Left is always right because it creates a beautiful angle. So, having Arshdeep and not only because of that angle but also because when I see Arshdeep bowling, I see control and which was missing in the last game,鈥 Irfan said.
鈥淪o, because of alignment, he has got a nice alignment which his body goes towards the target when he is actually finishing his action. When that happens, you have much more control in terms of line. So, now Indian team needs to weigh on what they need to do because they will have a question if Bumrah doesn鈥檛 play, Akash Deep plays.
鈥淚f Arshdeep is playing, that means Prasidh Krishna who has taken wicket and who might get better with time, he will set out. So, it鈥檚 a tough one but I would say if I have a choice, in the next game, I would definitely play because I won鈥檛 get control. I want to play Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep,鈥 he concluded.
鈥楥aptain Gill Needs Time鈥
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan has urged patience with Shubman Gill, whose captaincy came under fire following India鈥檚 loss in the first Test against England at Headingley. England chased down a daunting 371-run target, sparking criticism of Gill鈥檚 leadership.
Pathan defended the 25-year-old, who recently took over the reins after Rohit Sharma鈥檚 retirement, saying it鈥檚 unfair to judge him too soon.
鈥淕ill is a new captain, leading a team in transition. He doesn鈥檛 have the experience of seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami or R Ashwin in the dressing room,鈥 Pathan said during a media interaction hosted by Sony Sports Network.
He also pointed out that Jasprit Bumrah won鈥檛 play every match, further limiting Gill鈥檚 resources. 鈥淚t鈥檚 his first time leading in England, one of the toughest places to tour. Mistakes are bound to happen in such conditions,鈥 he added.
Pathan noted that questions about Gill鈥檚 authority are premature. 鈥淭hat will develop with time. The positive is he scored a century, which should boost his confidence. Once his own form is secure, he鈥檒l grow more comfortable making bold decisions.鈥
(Watch 2nd Test Between India & England on July 2nd, 3:30 PM onwards LIVE On Sony Sports Ten 1 & Sony Sports Ten 5 channels)