Indian bowlers performance in the fourth day of 1st Test match was stunning. Jasprit Bumrah five-wicket haul and Ishant Sharma three wickets thrashed the host. India won by 318 runs in Antigua. It was the biggest margin win for India on the foreign soil. Virat Kohli might be happy for the selection of Final XI.
Kohli justified that after the World Cup it was essential to give Jasprit Bumrah rest for three T20 and three ODI against West Indies.
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“That’s why Bumrah didn’t play any white-ball cricket after the World Cup because we wanted him fresh for the Tests,” Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“He’s going to be a key factor for us as long as the Test championship continues. We know how good a bowler he is and the impact he can make in a spell.”
Important to manage player workload: Virat Kohli
It was Bumrah’s fourth five-wicket haul which made him the only Asian player to take this in South Africa, England, Australia and West Indies. He opined it is essential to manage the workload of bowlers so they can perform well in the field. Further added, we have good bowlers as options are considered like Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Sani.
Kohli added, “That’s probably the most important thing for us right now, managing player workloads.”
“Umesh Yadav hasn’t had a game, and we have Navdeep Saini, who can bowl 150 clicks (kmph), waiting in the wings. We’re pretty settled as far as our bowling options are concerned.”
Virat Kohli is always on the talk for his team selection. He selected Ravindra Jadeja over Ravichandran Ashwin, Hanuma Vihari over Rohit Sharma. But so far, the team has proved successful in West Indies.
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Ajinkya Rahane scored a century, and Hanuman Vihari scored 93 which build a strong target against Windies. Vihari is also a part-time off-spinner, and he expressed he will work on his building technique.
“It’s important that my off-spin keeps developing, not only for myself but for the team as I fit in just because of that combination,” Vihari told a news conference.
The final Test Match against West Indies will be at Jamaica on Friday. India leads with 1-0.