Australia vs India 2018: Anil Kumble Backs India to Go With Five Bowlers

Former Indian skipper and coach Anil Kumble has backed India to go with five bowlers in the first Test match against Australia. Kumble believes India is going to miss the services of Hardik Pandya who adds balance to the side with his all-around abilities. Jumbo believes that India’s lower order should be able to contribute 100-150 runs in Australia.

Subsequently, India should play with five bowlers in the Australian conditions. Therefore, India must back its six batsmen to deliver the goods for them. Kumble wants the visitors to play with three seamers and two spinners in the final XI.

Kumble wants India to play three seamers and two spinners.

“That’s a big blow if you had Hardik Pandya in the team, then he gives you the cushion of being the fifth bowler, gives you 10-15 overs, possibly a couple of wickets. So that’s the advantage of a Hardik Pandya. He can bat at seven and give you runs as well, so that’s the disadvantage that India is going with. But if you look at Adelaide. I mean we’re sitting here and talking about the pitch but generally, if you look at the history of Adelaide, the wicket has always been good. You would want two spinners to play. Ideally, I would want five bowlers because in Adelaide you should be able to depend on your lower order to contribute at least 100-150 runs,” Anil Kumble said while talking to Cricket Next.

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Anil Kumble wants India to back their batsmen. Kumble believes if India can get 350 runs on the board, they would be able to put pressure on the hosts. India could not come with a collective batting effort on the England tour and would like to turn the tables in Australia.

“From your seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven; India should be able to get 100-150 runs. So, the top order becomes critical as well. If you can score 350 runs and have five bowlers in your team then I think India has the upper hand. So, that’s the decision that the team management will have to make, whether you want to go with four bowlers because you’re looking at the bowling attack which probably is the best bowling attack. Their batting isn’t necessarily great. So, if you’re looking at that and you want to make sure that the batting is stronger to negate the bowling, then that to me seems like a little bit of a negative thought if you’re thinking on those lines. Or you’d want to go one up in the first Test and you really attack Australia with two spinners”.

Virat Kohli has always backed five bowlers on the foreign tours. However, India’s bowlers have done a good job in the recent past and would like to continue with the same.

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In fact, it is expected that India will go with four bowlers, in which three will be three seamers and one spinner. Hanuma Vihari is the front contender to be included in the side as he can also contribute with his off-spin.

The first Test match will take place at Adelaide from December 6.