While Jasprit Bumrah will the bowling mainstay for India, Ashwin's place in the XI is not a certainty for the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. With Ravindra Jadeja fit and expected to play, Ashwin might not make the cut
The Indian bowling unit has its task cut out for the second and final Test match against South Africa, to be played in Cape Town starting Wednesday, January 3, 2024. The Indian team had lost the first Test by an innings and 32 runs and captain Rohit Sharma had suggested then that the bowlers need to pull up their socks, as they conceded a 400-plus total in the second innings. (Streaming | Match Blog | Scorecard)
As almost invariably is the case, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will shoulder the responsibility of reviving the visitors' fortunes with his incisive bowling. Ahead of the match, amid all the seriousness, Bumrah enjoyed a moment of levity as he imitated off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling action to near perfection at the nets.
The video of Bumrah copying Ashwin's action is a hit on social media. The fast bowler has earned a lot of praise online, with many users marvelling over how well he was able to replicate the action. You can watch the video below.
While Bumrah will the bowling mainstay for India, Ashwin's place in the XI is not a certainty. With Ravindra Jadeja fit and expected to make his way back into the playing XI, Ashwin might not make the cut. It will all depend on the conditions at the Newlands Cricket Ground, and whether the team management deems them helpful entirely to pace or to some spin too.
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Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma said on match eve that it is each and every ICC member's duty to protect the sanctity of Test cricket, as it remains the ultimate format.
His comments come in the wake of Cricket South Africa selecting seven uncapped players, including an inexperienced first-timer Neil Brand, for the upcoming tour of New Zealand to accommodate top stars for the cash-rich SA20, which is coinciding with the Test series.
All the SA20 franchises are owned by IPL team owners and the move to prioritize franchise cricket has earned widespread criticism.