Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has wondered whether the Indian team should play Jasprit Bumrah in their playing XI in difficult bowling conditions in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. He added that someone like Virat Kohli is also more required in difficult batting conditions than on flat surfaces as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Chopra said, “Ideally Headingley, Old Trafford and Lord’s because those are the three conditions that suit fast bowlers. However, let me play the devil’s advocate. He will play the first Test in Headingley, that’s simple. There is help there too, and all of that, but won’t I be very tempted to have Bumrah in difficult conditions?”

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“You don’t need Kohli as a batter on flat pitches. The others would also do it on flat pitches. You need Kohli when the conditions are difficult. In conditions that suit fast bowlers, Bumrah is very good. However, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj might also be good there,” he added.

However, Aakash Chopra also stated that choosing the three Tests Jasprit Bumrah should potentially play will be a tricky call for the Indian team as well.

“The problem will be in Birmingham, where you will have to do the job even with the old ball, and the Oval, where the pitch will be extremely flat. So I think it is going to be very tricky. You need Bumrah when the conditions are difficult for fast bowling to win the game there. You are picking and choosing now. If he was going to play all five Tests, then you were okay,” he said.

“In the end, the focus will be on how the body holds and how much workload he feels is right for him. However, I will be very tempted to bring in our most valuable player in difficult conditions because everyone will fail there, and whatever this guy does will be better than what everyone else does,” Aakash Chopra concluded.