Mohammad Kaif picks his third Indian seamer for the first Border-Gavaskar Test

Three RCB seamers - Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, and Mohammed Siraj will be vying for the third seamer slot in the Border-Gavaskar series. With Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah almost certainly nailed on to play the first Test in Adelaide, the competition for one spot will be between three pacers in the absence of Ishant Sharma. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has given his pick for the Pink ball Test starting this upcoming Thursday.

“For me, it will be Umesh Yadav,” said Kaif, “because Ishant Sharma is not there who had played an important role when India won the series last time. He had gelled very well with Shami and Bumrah, the three fast bowlers plus Ashwin plus Vihari part-time off-spin. Ishant Sharma was bowling with the new ball. “He was giving the early breakthroughs, getting Finch leg-before or bowled. He was always after Finch. He used to set the tone and after that Shami and Bumrah did their job,” on the Sony Sports Network.

A veteran of three tours down under, Umesh Yadav has 27 Test wickets in Australia, and Kaif believes that his experience will play a major role in him being the third-choice seamer. “Umesh did well in the practice match. So, he can be a good replacement. He has been erratic at times but he has played 45-46 Test matches. He has the experience and has toured Australia previously,” Kaif added.

“He has the build, he is known for his fitness, he can bowl the long spells as well and will not get injured or unfit. That is also a plus point with him. So, according to me, India should go with Mohammed Shami, Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Ashwin in the first Test match,” Kaif concluded.

[HT inputs]