Our Bureau
London
Jasprit Bumrah’s availability and management in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy has been the main topic of discussion in recent times. Ravi Shastri, cricketer and former head coach of India thinks that if Bumrah doesn’t play the second test the India team might find themselves in trouble.
Shastri stated that it was confirmed that Bumrah will play 3 out of the 5 matches of the series and the management will be in a muddle deciding which match he is going to be a part of. Shastri thinks that Bumrah will rest in the second match but that could lead to India being down 2-0 without their lead pacer.
“Bumrah said he’ll play three Test matches. Now, which of the three he’ll play, that’s, you know, another question to be asked. I think if he takes a break, it’ll be the next one, because he’ll definitely want to play at Lord’s, right? And there’s a break, and then you go into Lord’s, then there’s a break, and then there’s a choice between Manchester and the same. It could be 2-0 down. So that is the problem. I think he has got to play,” The former Head Coach said on Sky Sports Cricket.
Shastri emphasised that the Indian team and the management is in a tough situation as there has been a streak of disappointing losses in recent times. India lost its last two series and even failed to qualify to the finals of the World Test Championship. He stated that the team should’ve capitalised on the injury impacted bowling attack of the English team but they have blown their chance,
Shastri said, “It will be a tough pill to swallow because I was just telling him, back in the commentary box, that we lost 3-0 against New Zealand, and lost a series in Australia. Now, this is a tough series. You had your opportunity to go one up here, you know, with England having problems with their bowling attack, the injuries that they have. And you’ve blown it. And now it’s catch-up time.”
