India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed 5-89 at Leeds, may be rested for the second Test as part of his workload management. But Pathan felt that Bumrah should play
India pacer Akash Deep during a training session at Edgbaston on Monday. Pic/Getty Images
Former pacer Irfan Pathan believes India’s pace pack failed to adjust their line and length as per the England batters which is why India lost the first Test by five wickets at Leeds recently. He is confident though that the Shubman Gill-led outfit will bounce back in the five-Test series with a good performance in the second
fixture, beginning at Birmingham today.
Pathan, who claimed 100 Test scalps in 29 matches between 2003 and 2008, illustrated his point with the example of England openers, right-hander Zak Crawley (4 and 65 at Leeds) and left-hander Ben Duckett (62 and 149).
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan
“They [Indian pacers] bowled well in patches. The most important thing which they lacked was in adjusting their length according to the batsmen. For example, [Ben] Duckett plays square on the off side, square on the leg side, not so much in the V [area behind the bowler]. At the same time, Zak Crawley takes out a big front foot [and] tries to cover that line and swing. So, adjusting the line and the length according to the batsman and according to that particular pitch is very important. I think this will be the key going ahead as well. You also need to have adjustment between a right-hand, left-hand [batting] combination,” Pathan said in reply to a question by mid-day during a select media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network, the host broadcaster of the series.
India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed 5-89 at Leeds, may be rested for the second Test as part of his workload management. But Pathan felt that Bumrah should play.
“I think Bumrah should be playing because if he plays, we are in a much better position. But we are in a zone where people talk about workload, managing the guys and taking care of the body, and all. But I feel it’s tough for the coach. If you ask any coach about Bumrah playing, be it league cricket or T20 or ODI or a Test match, he would want him to play all the matches. But is that going to happen? I think it’s a tough one. But I personally would want him to play,” said Pathan, adding however, that in case Bumrah is rested then Akash Deep, 28, should be the first pick.
“Akash Deep is a lot like [Mohammed] Shami, who employs an upright seam. He can actually surprise the batters. He has that off-the-pitch zip,” said Pathan, who also backed left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh to get a look in. “In the case of Arshdeep, I always believe left is right because it creates a beautiful angle. Also, when I see Arshdeep bowling, I see control and this control was missing in the last Test,” concluded Pathan.
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