India National Cricket Team spin-bowling legend Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to play the second Test of the five-match series against the England National Cricket Team.
Ravichandran Ashwin also lashed out at the star speedster Mohammed Siraj and said that the pacer shouldn’t leak too many runs.
How did Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj perform in 1st Test?
Bumrah, who is set to play only three Tests in the ongoing England tour, started off his series in a brilliant fashion by picking an excellent 5-wicket haul in the first innings of the Headingley Test match.
Despite several catches being dropped off his bowling, Bumrah managed to dismiss Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Josh Tongue in 24.4 overs, giving away 83 runs.
However, in the second innings, he went wicketless and bowled 19 overs while conceding 57 runs as England chased down the target of 371 runs.
Talking about Mohammed Siraj, the right-arm quick didn’t look threatening throughout the match and bowled plenty of loose deliveries.
In the first innings, he bowled 27 overs and conceded 122 runs at an economy of 4.51 while picking up two wickets. Then, he bowled 14 overs in the second innings and conceded 51 runs while going wicketless.
Considering we are 1-0 down, I’d ask Bumrah to play the second Test – Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin advised the Indian team management to play Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test against the Three Lions at Edgbaston in Birmingham with an aim to level the series.
Ashwin also feels that the inclusion of the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI is mandatory for Team India. He elaborated:
“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.
“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!,” Ashwin further said in praise of Bumrah.
Can you not give away 4 or 5 runs in every over? – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin also called for good support to Jasprit Bumrah from his bowling partner, Mohammed Siraj. Ashwin said that Siraj should look to control the scoring rate, even if he is not picking wickets; otherwise, the extra burden falls on Jasprit Bumrah’s shoulders.
“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,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.
“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,” Ravichandran Ashwin added.
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