Going into the fourth Test in Melbourne, there are a few questions on the combination India would opt to play. With senior spinner R Ashwin retiring after the Brisbane Test, there is a hole in the spin department in terms of experience. Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara raised his concerns over the bowling. While he said three pacers pick themselves, who follows them would be the concern.
“My biggest question and the reason for a little bit of concern is that the Indian bowling is looking a little weak. Batting is a little better, like the top five didn’t do well, but the middle order and lower middle order, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitesh, and even tail-enders, Bumrah and Akashdeep contributed with the bat.” Pujara said speaking to Star Sports.
“Now, there is a weakness in the bowling, so what will you feed the team? That is the biggest question, because you can’t drop Nitish, you can’t drop Jadeja, so what will be the team combination? Ashwin has taken retirement, so two spinners, I don’t think they will play in Melbourne. So, how will you strengthen the bowling? Because the three seamers are very good, but their supporting role. Nitesh Kumar is the fourth seamer and Ravindra Jadeja is the fifth bowler.” Pujara added.
“If you add both of them together, the bowling is not that good. We will have to think about that, because if you want to win a test match, then you have to take 20 wickets, and the ability to take 20 wickets is not that good, the supporting role of the other bowlers is not good, so we will have to improve that as soon as possible, and how that will be, I don’t know, but that is a big question.” the 36-year-old further said.
The series is levelled at 1-1 going into the fourth Test in MCG where India won the last two times.
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