India won the Raipur T20I against New Zealand in a convincing fashion to double their lead in the ongoing five-match series between the two teams. However, questions were raised regarding the team combianion despise of the win as India decided to rest Bumrah for the game.
Raipur T20I: The Criticisam
Former Indian batter Mohannad Kaif questioned the thinking behind the decision to rest Bumrah after the first game, given that he had almost a month long ga between his last two outings in international cricket.
Raipur T20I: The Reason
Talking on his YouTube channel after the game, Kaif said, “Rest for what? What workload? Did he just come back after playing a lot? He has already come after taking proper rest. No, no, this thing just doesn’t make sense to me. If you want to give rest, give rest to Arshdeep Singh. If you want to bring in Harshit Rana, if Axar Patel is injured and you need batting at number eight, then rest Arshdeep and bring in Bumrah. I mean, why are we even comparing here? There is no comparison at all.”
Also Read: IND vs NZ T20I: Ashwin Questions Conditions In Raipur
Raipur T20I: The Combination
It is being understood that Bumrah was rested due to the team combination, which was changed after Axar Patel picked up an injury while bowling in the series opener. As a result, he was dropped from the playing XI for the next game
Raipur T20I: Expert Speak
Kaif was of the opinion that resting Bumrah keep in mind the team combination, was the wrong call by the team management. According to Kaif, “If Bumrah was left out because of a combination, saying that you need batting at number eight, then that is wrong. No power in the world can keep Bumrah out because of the team combination. The team will adjust the combination, but Bumrah will play in the XI.”
Raipur T20I: The Change
Harshit Rana, who was included in place of Bumrah, started well by bowling a maiden over after New Zealand got off to a rollicking start with 43 runs on the board in the first three overs and picked up the wicket of Devon Conway, but was a bit on the expensive side while bowling in the final five overs.
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Raipur T20I: The Big Question
It would be interesting to see if the home team continues with the same personnel even if Axar Patel is available for the next game, or brings back Bumrah in place of either Arshdeep or Harshit.
If the captain and the cach decides to stick with the same playing XI for the upcoming game, it will again raise questions regarding their approach, given that Bumrah is a vital part of the team in all three formats and giving him rest after playing just two games in a span of a month will not augur well going into the T20 World Cup.