Team India has gone for 5 bowlers strategy for the first two tests against England that happened in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. In the first test, Mohammed Siraj is the fifth bowler, and Mukesh Kumar in the second test. Both these bowlers had limited involvement in the test match as the bulk of the bowling was done by the three spinners and Jasprit Bumrah. With this, the demand to include an extra batsman in place of the fifth bowler has increased.
Especially, with the inexperience the Indian middle-order is currently having. There is no Virat Kohli or Shreyas Iyer or regular seasoned campaigners. The likes of KS Bharat, Rajat Patidar, and others haven’t played many tests. So including an extra batsman might come in handy for the team. Lacking of extra batsman cost India big time in the first test.
Will India change their decision of the fifth bowler strategy? Or will it continue with their plans? The Rajkot test will begin tomorrow.
