Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron believes Akash Deep is likely to play in the second Test of the series at Edgbaston, Birmingham, if Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable for selection due to workload management. Aaron took Deep's name ahead of Arshdeep Singh to replace Bumrah for his ability to move the ball both ways.
"One change will definitely be there. If Bumrah doesn't play, in my opinion, Akash Deep should play because he has the ability to pitch the ball up and nibble it both ways. If Bumrah is unable to recover, Akash Deep is a good option. (Mohammed) Siraj will play for sure. Siraj will be the main bowler of the attack if Bumrah doesn't play," Aaron said when asked about possible changes in playing XI.
Akash is yet to prove his mettle. He has played seven Tests and bagged 15 wickets. His average is an underwhelming 35.20.
The other change, Aaron expects is Nitish Kumar Reddy replacing Shardul Thakur. The experienced pace-bowling all-rounder bowled just six overs in the first innings. He bowled 10 overs and claimed two wickets in the second innings. While captain Shubman Gill did not trust Thakur to bowl early, he did not contribute with the bat and registered single-digit scores.
"I feel they will play Nitish Kumar Reddy in Shardul's place because, most importantly, they need Nitish Kumar Reddy's batting as Shardul didn't bowl that much. Nitish Kumar Reddy can also bowl as much as Shardul, but he will definitely give more runs in batting. I feel they won't tamper with the bowling too much," Aaron added.
Why Reddy's role is crucial?
Aaron was asked whether Gill will go into the game with four fast bowlers like Virat Kohli used to do. Aaron feels that Kohli had cushion of experience in the middle order which Gill doesn't possess. Hence, Reddy's inclusion becomes crucial.
"When Virat Kohli was the captain, they had Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle order, three legendary batters, so Virat Kohli had the cushion to play four fast bowlers. This Indian team does not have that cushion," Aaron said.
"The middle order hasn't functioned properly, not just in one match, but for the last one year. So Shubman Gill doesn't have that cushion. Shubman Gill needs cushion in batting. So, definitely, they will play Reddy, and the bowlers will have to do their job," he further added.
Reddy's Test numbers
22-year-old Reddy made his Test debut in Australia. From nine innings, he has scored 298 runs at an average of 37.25, including a century at the MCG. His bowling returns have not been impressive. He has five wickets to his name at an average of 38. His economy rate is not impressive either at 4.31 runs per over.