When India lost its first wicket in its second inning with fewer than three overs left in the stumps, the decision to send in a night watchman could not be ruled out. But not many expected Jasprit Bumrah to fill that role. Sure, Bumrah got the cricket world talking last week when he registered his fifty First Class singles, but sending Bumrah ahead of Mohammed Shami, or even Umesh Yadav, drew mixed reactions.
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While many thought the move was sensible considering it came from half a century against Australia A and India needed to protect Cheteshwar Pujara for a new day, there were some who thought India might have avoided sending Bumrah. One of them is former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha, who believes that getting Bumrah to hit players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins with the new ball could have spelled danger for the Indian team.
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“Bumrah with the ball is a bigger advantage than going out and hitting. I wouldn’t have sent it (like the night watchman). Maybe I would have sent someone else, but not Bumrah, because he’s your number one bowler, ”Ojha said on Sports Today.
“I have talked to fast bowlers, when they travel abroad, they have an extra layer of protection in their shoes to avoid injury while hitting. Those injuries can cost you the series. Because it is Bumrah and we have another three tests ahead of us, as a team it is very important to us ”.
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Meanwhile, former India goalkeeper Deep Dasgupta thought otherwise, believing that while R Ashwin might have been another contender to see the tea, until the end of the game sending Bumrah as a night watchman made sense.
“I agree with the decision because defensively he is your best option unless you want to send Ashwin. The whole concept of a night watchman is to protect the batter who is there and those who will come after that, ”said Dasgupta.
“If you are looking for a defensive technique, I would choose Bumrah over the others. In fact, I would have asked Ashwin if he wanted to hit as a night watchman, although I think he’s a suitable hitter. But I’m fine with Bumrah coming in. “
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