Monty Panesar says this Indian team doesn’t depend on Jasprit Bumrah

Former England spinner Monty Panesar said the current Indian team doesn’t depend on Jasprit Bumrah. Interestingly, India won the two Test matches against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar series when Bumrah was not part of the playing XI.

Bumrah took 14 wickets in three Test matches against England at an average of 26. The gun fast bowler took two five-wicket hauls in the series but could not deliver at Old Trafford, Manchester, on a sedate pitch.

Meanwhile, India registered their first win at Edgbaston, Birmingham after Akash Deep bagged 10 wickets in the match. At the Kennington Oval, Mohammed Siraj took a total of nine wickets, whereas Prasidh Krishna scalped eight wickets.

Monty Panesar said on Mid-Day, “This Indian team does not depend on Bumrah anymore. Bumrah’s hype is absolutely massive, but let’s be honest, India have a strong bowling attack.”

Panesar said Prasidh Krishna is getting better with experience after the lanky pacer bagged four wickets in each innings at the Oval.

“[Prasidh] Krishna is getting better and better with every Test match. I think he can open the bowling with [Mohammed] Siraj. They just need a third seamer, Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh or someone else. Of course, Bumrah is a good bowler, but he wasn’t part of the matches that India won [in this series]. So, I don’t think they depend on him as much,” he said.

On the other hand, former left-arm orthodox spinner lauded Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill for their heroics in the England series. Siraj took a total of 23 wickets, whereas Gill amassed 754 runs in the series.

“Siraj utilised the conditions really well. He’s a huge asset for Indian cricket. I think he leads the attack now and India need to build the attack around him.

“Young captain Gill has shown tremendous leadership in this Test series. Also, Gambhir has done well under the circumstances. He’s trying to bring in his new ideas and India need to back him because he’s taking the big decisions.”