Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan believes India’s bowling attack is too much reliant on yorker king Jasprit Bumrah. Following India’s humiliating 10 wickets loss against the arch-rivals Pakistan, Muralitharan believes India lacked the correct blend in their lineup.
"The team which concerns me in that regard (bowling department) is India. Jasprit Bumrah is a match-winner, but they look a bit reliant on him at the moment on the bowling side," Muralitharan wrote in his column in International Cricket Council (ICC).
India had gone with the combination of three fast bowlers and two spinners against Pakistan but the move totally backfired for the Men in Blue. They couldn’t manage to take a single wicket on the night.
The legendary spinner reckons India should bring Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI, provided Hardik Pandya can chip in with a few overs.
"They could do with a leg spinner in the team, or maybe Ravichandran Ashwin. It might be a case of going down to two fast bowlers and relying on Hardik Pandya to bowl,” the off-spinner asserted.
"It is about finding the right balance and not relying too much on Bumrah," the 49-year-old added.
The only good news for India is that Pandya was seen bowling in the nets, hinting that he could deliver a couple of overs against New Zealand. Furthermore, Shardul Thakur can also take Bhuvneshwar Kumar's place in the starting XI.
India will take on New Zealand on Sunday, and it will be intriguing to see whether they back the squad that played against Pakistan or guys like Ashwin or Rahul Chahar get a game.
