Umesh Yadav has been deemed fit ahead of the third Test match between India and England. He was injured during the Boxing Day Test match in Australia where he had pulled a calf injury. After treatment, the fast-bowler is back in the team after clearing his fitness test to be included in the squad. But is it enough for him to be part of the playing eleven? Gautam Gambhir feels the answer to that question is ‘No’.
The cricketer-turned-MP from Delhi, Gambhir was speaking at a talk show on Star Sports. He believed that if India go in with three fast-bowlers at Motera, then those three fast-bowlers must be Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
He said, “I don't think Umesh Yadav will be in the playing XI. If India has to get down with three fast bowlers, then Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj should play. Mohammad Siraj was quite effective in Australia. In the second Test match also, where there was no help from the pitch for the fast bowlers, Siraj was constantly bowling fast. He was quite effective. So I think these three fast bowlers can be seen playing in the third Test match against England.”
Meanwhile, Ishant Sharma is all set to play his 100th Test match just at the age of 32. It is a big achievement considering the fact that very less fast-bowlers have reached this milestone.
The team selection depends on which pitch will be used at the Motera, how the conditions would be and if Virat Kohli and Shastri want to play three seamers in the match. We will have to wait till Toss on Wednesday to confirm.