Indian attack more balanced than SA for Tests: Srinath
NEW DELHI: Former India speedster Javagal Srinath thinks India have a “more balanced bowling attack in the longest format” compared to South Africa which will provide them the edge in the upcoming four-Test series starting November 5.
Bowling contributed majorly to the hosts’ downfall in the preceding T20 and ODI series but Srinath is backing them to deliver in the Test series beginning at Mohali on November 5.
“With India, it has always been a combination of pace spin (that works for them). Spinners play a big role at home. If not 50-50, I would expect the faster bowlers to take 40% of the wickets. If you include the spinners, it is a fairly decent attack and gives India the edge in the Test series,” Srinath said.
Ishant, however, will not play the Mohali Test, owing to a onematch ban he copped in Sri Lanka. There isn’t a significant change in the bowling line-up from the T20s and ODIs with Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron being the other seamers and Ravichandran Ashwin expected to return from injury to lead the spin attack comprising Amit Mishra and comeback man Ravindra Jadeja.
Yadav, who was rested for the last two ODIs, alongwith Aaron provide much needed venom to the attack but Srinath sees either of them playing in the eleven.
“The two bowlers are very similar in style, so you got to go by the gut feeling of the captain. Whoever performs better at the nets. Somebody who is hitting the lines regularly will probably get the nod,” he said.
On Bhuvneshwar he said, “I think Bhuvi’s strength is his accuracy. He is an intelligent bowler. If not a strike bowler, he can be a good third seamer for the side.”