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3 Reasons Why Rohit Sharma Should Drop Jasprit Bumrah For 2nd Test Vs Bangladesh

Bumrah likely to be dropped from 2nd Test [PTI] Bumrah likely to be dropped from 2nd Test [PTI]

Jasprit Bumrah produced a stellar performance against Bangladesh in the first Test match in Chennai. He was the chief destroyer with the ball in the first innings, scalping 4 wickets for 50 runs, and looked at his menacing best after a return from a lengthy break.

Despite Bumrah in top form, there is a chance that skipper Rohit Sharma would drop him for the second Test, set to take place in Kanpur from September 27 onwards. Ahead of the Kanpur Test, we at OneCricket have compiled 3 key reasons as to why Bumrah will be dropped from the second Test match against the Tigers.

Nature of Kanpur pitch demands for inclusion of spinner

As stated in an earlier article, the surface at the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur will be a slow and low surface and the ball will turn as the game progresses.

This could prompt skipper Rohit to include an extra spinner in the form or Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav, and go in with three spinners against a struggling Bangladesh batting lineup. Plus, on Indian pitches, spinners have always been effective, and there could be little to no assistance for Bumrah on a spin-friendly deck. 

He thrives on pitches which have little assistance for pace bowlers, and as a result, captain Rohit shouldn't risk playing his premium pacer on a track where spinners dominate. Moreover, India have four quality spinners in their ranks to wreak havoc in Kanpur.

With BGT ahead, Bumrah's workload management becomes important

Bumrah's workload management should be of utmost priority for the Indian team. He is their best fast bowler, and the team management should make sure that Bumrah doesn't drain out. 

With 5 Test matches in Australia and Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year, India need Bumrah at his full-fitness, and for that it becomes important that his workload is carefully monitored.

On Indian pitches, spinners can take care of the opposition batters, and Bumrah's absence won't be felt against the stuttering Tigers. In 2022, he was out of the side due to back issues, and India dearly missed his services in the T20 World Cup that year. 

Before his injury, Bumrah played too many international matches in his career, and the management now needs to learn from the same mistakes, and make sure that he is well-equipped for the tougher challenges.

Axar/Kuldeep in place of Bumrah will strengthen India's batting

With the slow nature of the Kanpur Test, there could be a temptation to include Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. Meanwhile, if Bumrah is rested for the 2nd Test, the batting lineup will be much deeper, since both Axar and Kuldeep (whosoever plays) can bat better than Bumrah.

We saw that the Indian top-order struggled against the Bangladesh bowlers, and it needed special efforts from R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to resuce them in the first innings. Both Axar and Kuldeep can bat, and this would provide more depth to a struggling Indian lineup.