Discussions are going around about India’s playing XI for the first Test match against England. While the batting lineup seems more or less set, there is a lot of uncertainty around bowling. Due to dry pitches, many feel Team India should field two spinners at Headingley. This wasn’t the case in Australia, barring one match, and didn’t happen in England last time around either.
But since the Leeds pitch isn’t expected to offer much assistance to bowlers, you need more bowlers to prevent injuries by managing the workload. That’s why former India bowling coach Bharat Arun feels India should play 5 out-and-out bowlers.
India’s bowling lineup for England Test series
Fast bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Shardul Thakur, Nitish Kumar Reddy
Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav
Arshdeep Singh over Akash Deep & Prasidh Krishna
Asked who these will be, Arun said that Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah are the no-brainer picks. For the third pacer, out of Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh, he will pick the last one. He feels Arshdeep’s ability to swing the ball will come in handy in England and being a left-arm pacer helps as well.
“Siraj and Bumrah is a no-brainer. The other two bowlers would be the toss-up between… I would definitely go for Arshdeep because being a left-hander, and not many people even get to practice against left-handers, even in the nets. So, it’s not always easy. Especially if there is a skillful left-hander, he becomes all the more potent,” Arun told RevSportz.
Kuldeep Yadav, along with Jadeja
Citing how Shane Warne was able to trouble batters in England, Arun feels Kuldeep Yadav should play. With him and Ravindra Jadeja, Team India will have five proper bowlers. English batters have had issues reading Kuldeep from the hand and he can use the rough well. He thinks his upside in the second innings would be very high and that makes him a great option.
“Wrist spinners have always been effective, especially in England. Maybe even initially, when there is a little bit of dampness in the wicket, there is help for those wrist spinners. And also, the roughs that the bowlers create. But again, using the rough is a separate art.
It’s not just bowling. I think somebody who instantly comes to our mind is Shane Warne. I think Kuldeep has got enough skills to be successful in England. And also, if you look at this bowling attack, yes, it is relatively inexperienced, but it’s got huge potential. I would play Kuldeep Yadav. Even if not in the first innings, second innings, he would be a handful to deal with,” said Arun.
Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy?
Arun still feels that India should play an all-rounder. But he thinks it’ll be up to Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill to decide what they want. If they want more batting, then it’s Nitish Kumar Reddy. Otherwise, it’ll be Shardul Thakur, who’s a much better bowler.
“Between Nitish Reddy and Shardul Thakur, that will be a choice. They are pretty good. They are very handy. Nitish can also bowl 130-plus. Shardul also does the same. Shardul also is quite handy with the bat. So, it will be a toss-up between who is bowling the best at that point of time. Bowling and batting. They come in as an all-rounder. Because I think, to win Test matches abroad, you need five bowlers,” the coach added.
The post Kuldeep Yadav & Arshdeep Singh to play in Bharat Arun’s India Playing XI for 1st England Test appeared first on Inside Sport India.