Jasprit Bumrah's omission can lead to a weak bowling attack: Sourav Ganguly

India fell short by 34 runs in the first One-day international against Australia in Sydney and conceded an essential 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The visitors’ bowling attack has been slightly depleted by the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested from the ODI series. Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly feels an attack without Bumrah is weak and inexperienced.

The lanky right arm fast bowler was handed a rest following a taxing four-match Test series against Tim Paine’s Australia where he finished with 21 wickets. Mohammed Siraj, another promising seamer from Hyderabad was given a call-up but Ganguly conceded that the absence of Bumrah can hurt India’s chances in the series.

The Prince of Kolkata had mentioned at the start of the series that lack of on-field appearances from Kumar will make him look rusty and without any rhythm on good batting tracks down under. The inexperienced bowling attack also includes Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Shami but the former captain was of the thought that Bumrah would’ve been the trump card.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled beautifully in his initial overs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), getting plenty of swing. The speedster dismissed the Australian captain Aaron Finch cheaply. However, his last over, which was also the last over of the innings, yielded 18 runs that helped the hosts put 288 for the loss of five wickets.

“Without Bumrah, the bowling does become weak. Bumrah had a different effect in the Test series. Shami is there, who I feel is a good bowler…this is, however, a new bowling attack in ODIs. Khaleel is not that experienced. The bowler from Hyderabad had been given a chance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is there…so the attack is little weak,” Ganguly said as quoted by IndiaTV news.

Tourists also negatively affected by an off-field scandal

India’s inexperienced line-up has also been weakened by the absence of Hardik Pandya, who along with KL Rahul was ordered to sent back home following their controversial comments. The duo has been suspended until a pending inquiry after which their fate will be learned. Indian captain Virat Kohli also mentioned that their unavailability can disturb the team balance adversely.

India are set to play their second ODI at Adelaide on Tuesday before moving on to Melbourne to play the final ODI and the last match of the tour on January 18th.

Watch: Flop XI of AUSvIND Test series:

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