That Jasprit Bumrah will only play three of the five Test matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is something that India have maintained since before the start of the series. However, former England batsman Ian Bell has said he would be “amazed” if this actually ends up happening, especially if he sits out matches with the series on the line.
“I’d be amazed if he (Bumrah) only plays three Tests this summer,” Bell is quoted as saying by PTI. “He’s the best fast bowler in the world, and if he doesn’t play, England will be very, very happy.”
India head coach Gautam Gambhir had said before the series that managing Bumrah’s workload is important. However, there have been growing worries about how poorly India will fare without the 31-year-old in the squad considering the huge gap in quality between him and the rest of the pacers. Bumrah boasted an economy of 3.36 in 24.4 overs in the first England innings of the first Test, in which he also took five wickets.
Mohammed Siraj went at 4.51 in 27 overs while Prasidh Krishna had an aeconomy of 6.40m in 20. Shardul Thakur had bowled just six overs. It wasn’t much better in the second, with Siraj doing a slightly better job of keeping up with Bumrah. “Of course, you want to protect him (Bumrah), but if the series is on the line and he’s fit, he has to play,” said Bell.
‘Kuldeep is bowling beautifully’
Bell, who scored 7727 runs for England in 118 Tests with 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries, also said that Kuldeep Yadav will cause a lot of problems for the host batters at Edgbaston if he plays in the second Test, particularly their lower order. “It (wicket) won’t turn early, but by day four or five, it could take spin,” Bell said.
He believes this makes a strong case for Kuldeep’s inclusion. “Kuldeep is bowling beautifully. Someone who can spin it both ways is always a threat – especially to England’s lower order.” Bell added that India should consider the wrist-spinner as an “attacking option to fight fire with fire.”
