3 changes India must make in the second Test against New Zealand to level the series
New Zealand comfortably chased down the target of nine runs without a loss of single wicket thereby taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
3. Navdeep Saini in for Jasprit Bumrah
This might be really surprising but given Bumrah’s moderate outing with the ball and with the team desperately in need of a win to avoid yet another series whitewash on this tour, Kohli might be forced to make this change. It is not because of the change in perception after just one poor inning, but to ease the pressure off the Mumbai Indians star and to avoid the over-reliance on him.
It is unfair to expect Bumrah to perform well in each and every game and with a proven pacer like Saini on the bench, the team management must give Bumrah a break. Mohammed Shami is capable of providing breakthroughs irrespective of the pitch conditions while Ishant Sharma has proved his credentials once again with a five-wicket haul at Wellington.
Playing alongside two senior pacers (Ishant and Shami), Saini would be confident enough to replicate his white-ball success in tests as well. Capable of tormenting batsmen with his pace, the fiery Saini who is now ready for Test cricket just needs to get his length right to increase his chances of getting wickets. Though there are no doubts regarding Bumrah’s credentials, Kohli might have to take this decision as the visitors can’t afford to lose this game.
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