New Delhi: India have to find a way to reduce dependecy on Jasprit Bumrah for wickets and picking Kuldeep Yadav could be a way for that, believes former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin.
India lost the first Test by five wickets to England at Headingley and their reliance on Bumrah was evident as they couldn’t breakthrough on the final day as the hosts pulled off a 371-run chase.
Bumrah has suffered multiple injuries in recent years and missed the Champions Trophy with a back issue. He is expecte to sit out two of the five-match series in England to manage his workload.
Which is why Azharuddin suggested India should include left-arm wrist spinner Yadav in their playing XI in the second Test that begins at at Birmingham’s Edgbaston from July 2.
“They are too much dependent on Bumrah. It’s not easy because you need more experienced bowlers, and they should play Kuldeep Yadav,” Azharuddin told PTI.
The Edgbaston track is expected to be dry and could offer help to a wicket-taking spinner like Yadav.
‘Batting collapse to blame for loss’
India lost despite scoring 471 runs in their first innings after being asked to bat. Skipper Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant (both innings) made centuries.
But their efforts were nullified by late order collapses in each innings that prevented India from posting bigger totals, forcing Azharuddin to urge the team management to get the team combination right.
“We lost because of batting collapse, but anyways now they have to pick the right players and bowling has to be perfect,” the man who led India to 14 wins in 47 Tests said.
Azharuddin also said the new Test skipper Gill ought to be given more time to prove his mettle after he lost on his captaincy debut.
“This is his just first match as a captain, you just can’t talk about captaincy. It’s too early to talk about captaincy,” he opined.
“We should give him a fair chance and he has just taken over. So, you should give him a lot of time and support. We cannot just complain and criticise players like that.”