Former England cricketer Mark Butcher believes that Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah should play the second Test at Edgbaston, which starts on July 2. With India down 0-1 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, Butcher emphasised the significance of Bumrah’s inclusion in the playing XI.
However, Bumrah’s inclusion is still doubtful as team management continues to evaluate his workload. Prior to the series, Bumrah claimed that he expected to play only three of the five Tests. Many speculations claim that the pacer may forego the Edgbaston Test in lieu of the third Test at Lord’s.
“Bumrah will be a major discussion point, whether or not this is one of his three Test matches.
I believe it needs to be. He plays following a six-day break after going down 1-0 at Headingley. I understand he wants to play at Lord’s, but the demands of the squad and the series take precedence over his desire to play a Test at Lord’s,” Butcher stated on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast.
“And who knows, he might get through this one okay and be fine for Lord’s, and then you take your chances at the back-end,” he joked.
Bring Kuldeep and Arshdeep into the XI: Butcher
Butcher has recommended India to make crucial changes for the second Test against England, suggesting that left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Arshdeep Singh replace Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur.
Kuldeep Yadav has a strong record against England, taking 21 wickets at an average of 22.28 over six Tests. Meanwhile, Arshdeep is yet to make his debut in the format, but is seen as a viable alternative due to his ability to swing the ball in English conditions and left-arm angle.
“First and foremost, depending on what you have in your squad, you attempt to select bowlers who the opposition – England, with their shot-making preference – would dislike the most. They would particularly love seam bowlers from the mid to late 1980s. What they would appreciate much less is left-arm leg spin, assuming you had one, which India does. “That would be the starting point,” Butcher explained.
“A bowler with a left arm swing could also be considered. If Arshdeep [Singh] steps in, I believe Prasidh Krishna was found wanting…. If you can manage it, go with Siraj, Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, and Jadeja and see where your batting takes you. Simply because, as I stated after the first Test match, I couldn’t see Shardul making enough runs to compensate for his lack of bowling ability,” he concluded.
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