Former Indian cricket team fielding coach, R Sridhar, believes that Jasprit Bumrah needs a bowling partner who provides control. Sridhar emphasised the importance of having a bowler who can maintain a tight economy rate, especially during crucial phases of the game.
“I would be looking at a bowler who will give you control because there are going to be pockets in the game where you need to block and bowl at less that 2.5 runs an over.” said Sridhar, speaking on the TimesofIndia’s daily evening show Beyond the Boundary programme
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He drew a parallel with the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy, highlighting Ishant Sharma’s significant contribution.
Sridhar lauded Sharma’s ability to bowl economically and control the flow of runs, which allowed Bumrah to attack from the other end.
“If you see the first Border Gavaskar Trophy that we won in 2018-19, Ishant Sharma gave us tremendous control with the cherry. He came in and just ran in blocked one end. I wish he was there as a mentor on the tour, he should be part of the change room as a mentor and not just sitting as a mentor.”
He emphasised the need for a bowler who can replicate Sharma’s performance and provide stability to the bowling attack.
“You need someone to do what Ishant Sharma did in 2018-19 tour when India won the trophy. Who has the skill set to block one end so that when Bumrah bowls fearlessly with aggressive field?”
Sridhar firmly believes that Bumrah’s role should be to take wickets, and he shouldn’t be burdened with the responsibility of containing runs.
“Bumrah should not be brought down to a position where he is going to come and bowl to keep the game tight, if Bumrah is doing that then Australia is winning the game. You need Bumrah to go for wickets for that whether Siraj plays or Akash plays, you need someone to be bowling you those four overs spells for ten runs.”
