Legendary India batsman Sunil Gavaskar believes the current Test team is indeed heavily reliant on fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to lead the bowling attack.
The fast bowler currently leading in the wickets for Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far is Bumrah. He has managed 12 wickets from two games. Yet, Bumrah doesn't get too much help from the other Indian fasters. Mohammed Siraj accounts for nine wickets so far, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy have five and two scalps respectively.
"Yes, to a great extent. You've got to say that. Mohammed Siraj is a good foil, but he has to start getting five wickets in an innings. Otherwise, the load is being picked up mainly by Jasprit Bumrah.".
"But if Siraj can take two, three wickets, continue breaking those partnerships then surely he assists Jasprit Bumrah. The new boy Harshit Rana, who did a brilliant job in Perth, didn't do a great job in the second game of Adelaide.
"Maybe he just could not get into his rhythm, therefore was not bowling the length that he should have, or the line that he should have. But hopefully he will have learned. And then that makes it easy. It takes the load off Bumrah. Bumrah can then come in, in short bursts of four or five overs, and be much more effective," said Gavaskar to Star Sports.
On who to be given the third Test spinner mantle for India, starting in Brisbane from December 14, with the former off-spinner being of the opinion that it should have been Washington Sundar at least after Ravichandran Ashwin, who got a game at Adelaide while not doing too much beyond getting one of Mitchell Marsh, did little better with bat.
"If we have to play a spinner, I think Team India will look back at Washington Sundar. Because he played well in Perth and his bowling was also good. He has performed very well in front of New Zealand also. So, he must have felt confident too," he added.
Cheteshwar Pujara, the veteran batter, echoed Harbhajan's thoughts. "There can be only one change. Washington can replace Ashwin if they want to strengthen their batting. There is no comparison in bowling. Ashwin is a very good bowler. But if they want a little more strength in batting, they can play Washington."
But the experienced leg-spinner Piyush Chawla feels that Ashwin must play the Brisbane Test. "The way Ashwin played in the second test match, he kept them in check. He played very well. He conceded 50 runs in 18 overs and took one wicket. So, there is no need to change. Because after losing one test match, if you think so much about it, it becomes difficult.
Ex-India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta feels that consistency is the need of the hour for the Indian team, as far as their playing eleven line-up is concerned. "Washington in the first test match and Ashwin in the second test match. Is there a need for so many changes? I don't think there is a need.".
"They have done it. They brought Ashwin in the second test match. But don't do it again. If you want to get the best out of the player, you have to give him security. And I think, in that sense, I would like to continue with Ashwin in this test match."
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