Nehra wants other Indian bowlers to step up besides Bumrah
India came up with a phenomenal performance in the T20I series against New Zealand, as the bowlers ensured a 5-0 whitewash. However, they lost the ODI series, as the Kiwis hit back with a 3-0 clean sweep. Meanwhile, former Indian pacer, Ashish Nehra, feels that the Indians are over-relying on Jasprit Bumrah, as he has demanded other bowlers to step up. Here's more.
Nehra feels there is too much pressure on Bumrah
Speaking on the topic to Times of India, Nehra said that while the Indian selectors and management pick a better squad and playing XI, the other bowlers need to step up as well. "They have got used to having Bumrah and Shami firing. There's too much pressure on Bumrah. There has been very little consistency in the team selection so far," he said.
You can't expect Bumrah to deliver in every series: Nehra
"You can't expect Bumrah to deliver in every series. One has to remember he is returning from injury. It's difficult for anybody to keep performing at the top of his game all the time. Even Virat Kohli has had a quiet series," added Nehra.
Bumrah is on a poor run since return from injury
Ever since Bumrah has returned from the stress fracture, he suffered back in September 2019, he has been on a poor run. While he made his return last month, since then, he has only played limited-overs, where he has managed to claim just nine wickets in 13 innings at a poor average of 50.33. Furthermore, he went wicket-less in the just concluded Kiwi ODIs.
Nehra prefers Navdeep Saini over Umesh Yadav in Tests
As India prepare to take on the Kiwis in the two-Test series, Nehra feels that Navdeep Saini should be given the preference over Umesh Yadav, owing to the momentum he currently possesses. "But, he largely depends on the back-of-a-length deliveries. If he can get his length a bit fuller at his pace, he would open up more chances of getting wickets," he concluded.
Saini yet to make his Test debut
As for Saini, he is yet to make his Test debut. However, he has had a fine First-Class career, claiming 125 wickets in 77 innings, at a decent average of 28.3, including four-wicket and five-wicket hauls on four occasions. As for his recent performance in ODIs and T20Is, ever since his debut last year, he has claimed 18 wickets in 14 innings.
