Team India veteran Cheteshwar Pujara believes that the Men in Blue must maintain the same bowling attack in the second Test match against Australia. Cheteshwar Pujara said that Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin should remain on the bench, with Washington Sundar as the lone spinner.
Ashwin and Jadeja were left out of the XI for the first Test in Perth, where Team India cruised to a 295-run victory. Sundar was included in the squad after his impressive performance in the home series against New Zealand. He scored 33 runs and took two wickets in two innings.
This Bowling Attack Made Us Succeed – Cheteshwar Pujara
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Cheteshwar Pujara said that India should keep the same bowling line-up for the second Test. He praised Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit. Pujara said Harshit showed discipline with the ball despite playing his first Test in Australia.
“There’s no question about that. This bowling attack has done us well. (Jasprit) Bumrah looked really good. (Mohammed) Siraj was very good. Then he was supported by Harshit. He bowled very well, you have to accept that. . He playing his first game (for India) still bowled,” Pujara told ESPNcricinfo.
“It’s very easy to head in Australia and sometimes when you look at the pace of the pitch, it offers a bit more bounce… But he was still trying to hit the right point, a good length. Plus he has that ability, I think we need to continue with the same bowling attack.
Pujara
says no Ashwin and Jaddu for pink ball Test pic.twitter.com/cXNti0axYJ
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 2, 2024
Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy made their Test debuts in Perth
Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy made their Test debuts during the series opener. Reddy played a crucial 41 runs in the first innings when India were bowled out for 150 runs. He also scored an unbeaten 38 runs from 27 balls, including three fours and two sixes, as India reached 487/6.
Harshit Rana picked up three wickets for 48 runs in the first innings. Rana took the last wicket in Australia’s second innings of the match. Playing ahead of Ashwin and Jadeja, Washington Sundar had limited impact with the ball in the first innings but took two wickets for 48 runs in the second.
Washington Sundar Really Didn’t Look Good… – Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara has backed Washington Sundar’s inclusion in the Adelaide Test. He said that Sundar struggled at the start of the match but took important wickets after adjusting to the conditions. Pujara highlighted that Sundar’s batting could be vital in the pink-ball Test in case of any collapse.
“When he (Washington) started bowling, he didn’t look very good but eventually he got some wickets, changed his pace, so Washy should be our spinner because he can bat well,” Pujara said.
“The reason he was picked in this squad is because he can bat. It will be important in the second Test match if we lose a few wickets early, if he needs to contribute in the lower middle order, Washington can fill that role. .”
