The Indian pace gun Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the team as skipper Rohit Sharma has botched to recover from COVID-19. The Test will start from July 1, at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, in Birmingham.
The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the decision via its official social media handles. Following the matter, former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan stated that the added responsibility of leading the team in such a crucial game could end up in Bumrah’s favor.
Furthermore, Khan also added that Bumrah is the player to watch out for in the series decider against England. “Jasprit Bumrah will be the player to watch out for in the Birmingham Test. He would have started to think that he might have to captain when Rohit tested positive for COVID-19. He ought to be a little nervous, but an added responsibility at this level often proves to be beneficial for a player.”, spoke Khan, in a discussion at Cricbuzz.
Khan has worked closely with Bumrah at Mumbai Indians, for a long time now. Besides, this is Bumrah’s first experience in the position of skipper, as the 28-year-old has not led any team at any level.
“Cheteshwar Pujara could be one of the openers for India against England” – Zaheer Khan
When Sharma tested positive for COVID-19, the team management had called Mayank Agarwal, as a backup opener. But, Khan thinks that the team management could rather go with Cheteshwar Pujara as an opener.
He said: “While Mayank Agarwal has been added to the squad for the Test as Rohit Sharma’s cover, I feel that the team will ask Cheteshwar Pujara to open the innings if Sharma doesn’t recover in time. He recently had played county cricket in these conditions and I believe he could be one of the openers for India against England.”
Also, Pujara has plenty of experience in England, as he has played a few county games for Sussex, during the last couple of months. The 34-year-old was at his best for Sussex, as he smashed 720 runs in five games.
After all, it is going to be interesting to see with which combination Bumrah- The Skipper takes the field. India is leading the way by 2-1 for now, and whoever wins the trophy, the Edgbaston crowd can expect another perfect summer thriller.
Written By Prachi Pisal
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