Since the defeat at Headingley, Team India is all set to return stronger in the second Test at Edgbaston. A few reports indicate that keeping workload management in mind, Jasprit Bumrah could be rested for the second match. Bumrah was the sole Indian bowler who seemed to be in tune throughout the first Test, claiming an exceptional 5-wicket haul in the first innings.
Mohammad Azharuddin bats for Kuldeep Yadav inclusion to reduce dependence on Jasprit Bumrah in 2nd Test#INDvsENG https://t.co/wuQ7LGYq6c
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Azharuddin: “Too Much Dependence on Bumrah Is Not Right”
Speaking to PTI, Azharuddin said, “The Indian team is too dependent on Bumrah. That’s not ideal because you also need other experienced bowlers. The team must include Kuldeep Yadav at all costs.” According to Azharuddin, bringing in a wrist spinner like Kuldeep will bring better balance to India’s bowling lineup. He also blamed the defeat in the first Test on India’s poor batting.
“We lost at Headingley because of our fragile batting. Now the team needs to make the right selections. Our bowling needs to be spot on.” He added.
But former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin feels that the team must not be heavily reliant on Bumrah. He said that Kuldeep Yadav must be included in the second Test.
In Azharuddin’s opinion, the addition of a wrist spinner like Kuldeep will provide improved equilibrium to India’s bowling line-up. He also put the blame for the first-Test loss on India’s poor batting.
He said, “We lost at Headingley due to our weak batting. Now the team has to make the proper choices. Our bowling has to be perfect.”
India’s Defeat in the First Test
India lost the first Test to England by 5 wickets. India’s team had given England a massive target of 371 runs to score, but the English team nailed it easily with five wickets remaining. Ben Duckett was the hero with an impeccable score of 149 runs, and Joe Root and Zak Crawley also contributed vital half-centuries. India’s bowling effort was substandard in both innings, and they couldn’t keep England’s hard-hitting batsmen at bay.
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