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Ravi Shastri suggested that the selectors could go with Nitish Reddy due to his all-round abilities.
What should be India’s bowling attack for Perth Test vs Australia?
Former India head coach legend Ravi Shastri has named his three preferences for India’s fast bowling attack in the opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting next week. Ahead of the first Test of the 5-match series, scheduled to be played in Perth, Shastri turned his eye towards India’s pace attack for the series opener.
“I think the three I would pick straight away is Akash Deep, [Mohammed] Siraj and [Jasprit] Bumrah and then they [selectors] have to see the balance,” he told The ICC Review.
There has been a lot of chatter around India’s playing XI for the series opener. It was recently confirmed that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will miss out as he has decided to bet with his family following the birth of his baby boy. Moreover, the lack of experience in India’s bowling unit, as Mohammad Shami isn’t available, has led to curiosity about how selectors will form the lineup.
Amid all the doubts, Ravi Shastri discussed the key decisions that the Indian selectors would have to make during the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“I would go with one spinner…I was in Perth last year when Pakistan played Australia. And in those conditions, to have two spinners is a luxury. You need pace because that track has pace and bounce. And you need the bowlers to exploit it and keep the pressure on the batsman.”
Ravi Shastri also suggested that the selectors could go with Nitish Reddy due to his all-round abilities.
“Do they want two spinners? Do they want to risk going in with two spinners or do they want to take Nitesh Reddy? Nitesh Reddy will have to do a job like Shardul Thakur did as the fourth seamer. He can bat a bit, give the bowlers a little bit of respite so that they can bowl in short spells…and be someone who will have to be good for those eight to 10 overs that he bowls,” Shastri concluded.
India were recently whitewashed 0-3 at home by New Zealand. The two-time World Test Championship finalists will be looking for redemption in the upcoming series against Australia.
