Former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that India needs to test their best strength in the dead rubber against South Africa on Sunday as there is nothing at stake for India but testing new players might give them a few more options going ahead.
On Friday South Africa chased down the target of 288 with only a loss of 3 wickets as they took an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the 3-match series. It was by far the highest successful chase at this ground. Indian bowlers lacked energy in both games as they could manage only 6 wickets in both games. On the other side South Africa always was ahead of the required run rate as Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan gave them a century stand.
Gambhir opined that India needs a big change in their pace bowling as the current pace attack lacks the genuine pace which can trouble batters when the pitch is not offering much. Notable that Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t pick a single wicket in two matches and conceded with an economy of more than 7 rpo.
“Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravi Ashwin should be rested for the next match, and changes in the batting order aren’t needed. Jayant Yadav should be given a chance along with seamers like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. India need to develop their second-string team and gives chances to bowlers who can bowl above 140 kmph in South Africa,” Gambhir spoke to Star Sports.
“Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar and Ashwin should be rested for the next match”- Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir insisted India go with a completely fresh bowling attack as all Indian bowlers looked tired in two games.
“India have three-four options in their arsenal. Navdeep Saini, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj. India should definitely give these players an opportunity. The third and final game can be termed as a dead rubber and it’s a good chance for the team management to test its second string,” he added.
Indian spin attack also looked toothless in this series as the duo of Ashwin and Chahal picked only 2 wickets in the series so far. The third and final match will be played in Cape Town on January 23.
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