Mark Butcher has urged India to select Jasprit Bumrah for the second England v India Test match at Edgbaston, saying the World No.1 Test bowler "absolutely has to be" in India's starting XI.
Butcher: Bumrah absolutely has to play
Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast ahead of the match, which starts tomorrow (July 3) in Birmingham, Butcher voiced his opinion of what India's bowling attack should look like.
"Knowing that the pitches are going to be flat and we've had incredible weather for most of the summer, and the pitches are likely to be dry, even if there is grass on it, from the very start, you have to go with what your strengths are," said Butcher. "Bumrah is going to be a huge talking point as to whether or not this is one of his three Test matches. I think it has to be, it absolutely has to be. Six day break after Headingley, 1-0 down, he plays."
Speaking after their defeat at Headingley, India head coach Gautam Gambhir reiterated the pre-series messaging that Bumrah would likely only play three of the five Tests in order to manage his workload. However, with India 1-0 down in the series and Bumrah comfortably India's best bowler in the first Test, playing him in back-to-back Tests might be their preferred option for how to split those three matches.
"I know he wants to play at Lord's but the needs of the team and the series are more important than his wish to play a Test at Lord's," said Butcher. "And who knows, he might get through this one okay and be fine for Lord's, and then you take your chances at the back-end."
Butcher: Arshdeep and Kuldeep should play at Edgbaston
The former England batter also detailed what he thought the rest of India's bowling attack should look like. "First and foremost, depending on what you've got in you squad, you try and pick bowlers that the opposition – England, with their shot-making preference – would like the least," he said. "What they would very much enjoy are mid to low eighties seam bowlers. What they would enjoy much less than that is left-arm leg spin, if you have one – and India do have one. That would be the starting point."
India have Kuldeep Yadav in their squad as a left-arm wrist-spinner, and could look to play him in their XI alongside Ravindra Jadeja. It would go against the blueprint India have created in SENA countries of playing Jadeja and four seamers, but of all the grounds set to be used in the series, Edgbaston is one of the better venues for spinners. Kuldeep also has an impressive record against England, having taken 21 wickets in six Tests.
Butcher also backed Arshdeep Singh to come into the side a replacement for Prasidh Krishna.
"A left-arm swing bowler is also perhaps an option," said Butcher. "If Arshdeep [Singh] comes in, I think Prasidh Krishna was found wanting.... If you can manage it, you go Siraj, Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, Jadeja, and you take the cards where they fall with your batting. Simply because – I said it at the time during the first Test match – I couldn't see how Shardul was going to make enough runs to make up for his lack of potency with the ball.
"As it turned out it was potency with the ball that killed India. Yes, the collapses hurt them, however England took 20 wickets and scored a lot of runs, India scored a lot of runs and couldn't take 20 wickets. You pays your money and takes your choice there."
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
