Given that India would more or less field three spinners, they would ideally love to bowl last. That means bat first if you win the toss but India can’t afford to be too disheartened even if the luck of the coin doesn’t go their way. They must believe they have the resources to win because you can’t afford to depend on chance if you aspire to be a world-beater.
It isn’t often that you come across a bowling attack that has got an off-spinner, a leg-spinner and a left-arm spinner, all proven performers. That brings tremendous versatility to the spin department. But it is also a great opportunity for the two quick bowlers to make a case for themselves.
With Ishant Sharma ruled out of the first Test, I won’t be surprised if India pick Varun Aaron to partner Umesh Yadav. Both Varun and Umesh are quick, and while they can go for runs, that is the risk versus reward gamble that you must take. For the sake of Indian cricket, the two must make their presence felt.
I had often been the lone specialist fast bowler operating alongside three spinners at home, and several times I had felt lonely and left out with the captain not even looking at you. I had kept knocking on the doors to tell the captain that I was not a filler and that I was there to do the job as well.
If Umesh and Varun can make the new ball count, or strike through reverse swing with the older ball, they will bring a lot of respectability for the fast bowling fraternity in India, which is very important.
Ideally, despite the obvious slant towards spin, the two quicks must bowl 30-35 overs a day. The dilemma for the team management when you play five bowlers is leaving out someone of the calibre of Cheteshwar Pujara. He might find himself out of favour because of the new philosophy the team is embracing with aggression atop the batting order.
With Ajinkya Rahane among the runs and Rohit Sharma finding his feet, the batting combination seems somewhat settled, and while it might appear to be unfair on Pujara, you have to go with what is best for the team.
What playing one specialist batsman less means is that the role of the wicketkeeper-batsman becomes crucial.
