Former India pacer Varun Aaron feels that Nitish Kumar Reddy will make way for Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI for the third Test of the series against England at Lord's, London. While Prasidh Krishna could take just one wicket in Edgbaston Test and leaked boundaries in the first innings, Aaron reckons that captain Shubman Gill's praise of the tall pacer in post-match presentation hints at his retention in playing XI.
"Obviously, they (India) are going to take immense confidence going into Lord's. There is not going to be much focus on practice because every single bowler and batter has spent time in the middle, except Nitish Kumar Reddy, who I think might not be a starter at Lord's," he said on Star Sports' show.
In the Edgbaston Test, Reddy scored a single each in both innings. In the first innings, he left an inswinging delivery from Chris Woakes to get bowled. In the second innings, he tried to take on Joe Root and was caught by the long-on fielder. With the ball, he got six overs in the first innings, conceded 29 runs and remained wicketless.
4 pacers and 2 spinners in playing XI?
On the other hand, Krishna has been conceding runs at an economy rate of 5.34 runs per over. Also, his bowling average is 55.17. So far, he has claimed six wickets from two Tests. With Akash Deep taking 10 wickets, there is a possibility that Krishna may warm the bench for Lord's Test but Aaron feels that India will go with four fast bowlers and two spin-bowling all-rounders.
"India might not need the extra batting now with Washi and Jaddu batting really well. Also, with (Shubman) Gill praising Prasidh (Krishna) towards the end, could be a small hint he has dropped that Prasidh could play. They could go with a four-fast-bowling attack and two really good spinners to back it up," Aaron opined.
Aaron in awe of captain Gill
Aaron lauded an in-form Gill for the way he led the team front the front. He praised Mohammed Siraj and Deep for taking 20 wickets in Bumrah's absence and leading India to their maiden Test win at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
"There is a lot of history to be made. This is just the start of this Indian team. I think this is just the start of the era of Shubman Gill. He has played like a true champion, like a true leader, and the amount of responsibility he has taken, and he has turned that responsibility into results," he said.
"Him, Siraj and Akash Deep, especially in the absence of Bumrah, have been incredible. On a wicket that was as flat as this, our bowlers have just outbowled the English side completely. They have got wickets by themselves. They have not depended on the batters to get themselves out, but they have actually bowled the batters out," he added.
The third Test of the series will commence on July 10. Gill has already confirmed that Bumrah will play the Lord's Test.