IND vs ENG Test: 'Bowling has to be perfect' - Mohammad Azharuddin urges Team India to reduce Jasprit Bumrah dependency
Former India captain
Mohammad Azharuddin
has cautioned the team management against over-reliance on pace spearhead
Jasprit Bumrah
and called for the inclusion of left-arm wrist spinner
Kuldeep Yadav
in the second Test against England at Edgbaston.
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India went down by five wickets in the first Test at Headingley, despite centuries from Shubman Gill,
Rishabh Pant
, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the team faltered with repeated collapses and a bowling unit heavily dependent on Bumrah to both take wickets and control the run rate.
India's Day 2 at the Nets in Edgbaston | IND vs ENG Test Series
'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 Videos, suggesting that the wrist-spinner's inclusion could offer more control and variety.
Poll
Do you think India is too reliant on Jasprit Bumrah?
Yes, other bowlers need to step up
No, he is our best bowler
Partially, but he can handle the pressure
India will face England in the second Test starting July 2 in Birmingham. With conditions likely to favour spin later in the match, Azhar said picking the right bowling combination will be key to bouncing back from the Leeds defeat.
'We lost because of the batting collapse, but now they have to pick the right players. Bowling has to be perfect,' he noted.
Kuldeep Yadav spins it tight at Edgbaston
Azhar also defended new Test captain Shubman Gill, who is leading India for the first time in a five-match series. 'This is just his first match as captain. You can't talk about captaincy so early. He should be given a fair chance, support, and time,' Azhar said.
The former skipper, who led India in 47 Tests, stressed that patience is crucial. 'We cannot just complain and criticise players like that,' he added.
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