Will Virat, Shubman & Surya fill in the sixth bowler’s slot against England? | INDvsENG
Xtra Time Web Desk: The injury to Hardik Pandya has disturbed the balance of the Indian cricket team. The all-rounder damaged his ligament in left ankle during the game against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19. Hardik might have to sit out for more games than expected.
Despite Hardik’s absence the hosts did register a comprehensive 7-wicket win over New Zealand at Dharamshala on October 22. The Indian team management included Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami in the playing XI against BlackCaps. Shami exploited the conditions well to get a five-fer.
But with the conditions here at the Ekana International Stadium favouring the spinners, it will be tricky call for the team management. It is a good headache to have as it will be a blunder not to play Shami against the English batters. That leaves the team management with the option of either playing Shami or Siraj.
If the team management decides to include Ravichandran Ashwin, then either Siraj or Shami must be rested. In that case Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav will have to fill in as sixth bowler’s option.
With Indian team management making clear to play five specialist bowlers, Mohammed Shami is the frontrunner to play in Pandya’s absence. That leaves India with six batters. Amongst them, only Kohli bowled during the match against Bangladesh (when Pandya was out injured). But the latest scenario could also see Suryakumar and Gill have roll their arms as well.
Surya and Virat bowled in the nests to Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer on Thursday during the optional practice session. Gill too bowled to Mohammed Siraj for half an hour.
The plan is to squeeze in a few overs from Virat, Shubman and Suryakumar, if one of the main bowlers have an off day. The team management can also include either Ashwin and Shardul, both known to be decent lower order batters. In that case the bowling attack against England may look like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur or Ravichandran Ashwin depending on the conditions.
