According to Panesar, this Shubman Gill-led Indian side have shown that they are not dependent on Bumrah to succeed
Monty Panesar
Former England spinner Monty Panesar cannot wrap his head around the uproar over India pace ace Jasprit Bumrah missing two out of the five Tests in England simply because both wins (at Edgbaston and the Oval) for the visitors came when their premier fast bowler was rested.
According to Panesar, this Shubman Gill-led Indian side have shown that they are not dependent on Bumrah to succeed. “This Indian team does not depend on Bumrah anymore. Bumrah’s hype is absolutely massive, but let’s be honest, India have a strong bowling attack,” Panesar, 43, told mid-day from London on Monday.
“[Prasidh] Krishna is getting better and better with every Test match. I think he can open the bowling with [Mohammed] Siraj. They just need a third seamer, Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh or someone else. Of course, Bumrah is a good bowler, but he wasn’t part of the matches that India won [in this series]. So, I don’t think they depend on him as much,” added Panesar, who picked 167 wickets for England in 50 Tests at an average of 34.71.
On Day Five of the fifth and final Test, with India needing four wickets and England just 35 runs, Siraj took three wickets to complete a fifer and confirm a thrilling six-run victory for India, ensuring the series ended 2-2. “Siraj utilised the conditions really well. He’s a huge asset for Indian cricket. I think he leads the attack now and India need to build the attack around him,” added Panesar, who was all praise for skipper Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir too.
“Young captain Gill has shown tremendous leadership in this Test series. Also, Gambhir has done well under the circumstances. He’s trying to bring in his new ideas and India need to back him because he’s taking the big decisions,” concluded Panesar.
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