Australia vs India 2018: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Should've Played in Perth: Murali Kartik

There were quite a lot of surprises in store for the viewers as the second Test match went underway at Optus Stadium in Perth. India went in with four seamers and snubbed the spinning option. Speedster Umesh Yadav got a look-in, and pacer Bhuvneswar Kumar was sidelined for the crucial tie. Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik wasn’t impressed with the selection.

The 42-year-old Kartik felt India should have gone with Bhuvneshwar. Well, the wicket was expected to be a bouncy one which would generate pace apart from any seam movement whatsoever.

However, once the game progressed, there was hardly any bounce from the surface as compared to the typical Perth wicket of the past.

Murali Kartik not impressed with the selection

Kartik was disappointed over the snubbing of one of their premium bowlers in the bowling line-up.

The visitors have a 1-0 lead after clinching a 31-run win in Adelaide. Australia on the other hand, are desperate to get things back in place and they went ahead with the same squad.

Hot day in Perth, bowlers toil hard

Perth is expected to be hotter compared to the other venues, and a spinner is always handy according to Kartik.

“Four seamers getting through 90 overs is going to be laborious. Bhuvneshwar Kumar would have been more effective. The bowlers are tired now. In Adelaide, the hosts came very close to winning even though there were wear and tear in the wicket. The pacers need rest” he said.

India had to make forced changes as Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin were ruled out ahead of the Test due to injuries. It was reported that Ashwin was carrying a niggle while Rohit had issues with his back.

Thus Hanuma Vihari and Umesh replaced the duo. Australia went off to a flier, courtesy fifties from both the openers- Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris. The latter made 70 while Finch hit a composed 50. Jasprit Bumrah provided the first breakthrough for India which further saw India pulling things back.