AUS v IND 2018-19: Zaheer Khan picks Umesh Yadav over Ishant Sharma for first Test in Adelaide

Zaheer also decided to leave out Bhuvneshwar Kumar from XI for the first Test.

India will face Australia on December 6 for the first Test | GETTY

When India faced Cricket Australia XI in a four-day practice match ahead of the Test series against Australia, Indian bowling was a big let down for the visitors. They ended up conceding a huge lead in the first innings and were unable to dismiss the lower order of CA XI. Only Mohammad Shami impressed with a haul of 3 wickets.

India has a good option for pace attack and skipper Virat Kohli will have to be smart with his picks for the first Test starting December 6 in Adelaide.

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan revealed his pick for the first Test and he is going with Umesh Yadav over the experienced Ishant Sharma. 

Zaheer is not picking Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is considered to have a bonus batting contribution. But the cricketer turned cricket expert believes the condition in Australia will not suit Bhuvneshwar's batting style. 

"I think [Jasprit] Bumrah, Umesh and [Mohammed] Shami should play in the first Test. No doubt we have seen a lot of improvement in Ishant's bowling and he has experience of playing there as well. But I think if these three players, it would be good for India," Zaheer told India Today.

About an unimpressive tour game, Zaheer refused to make decisions out of it. He rates Indian bowlers as good as Australian attack. "If you compare the two sides, the bowling sides of the two teams are even. But India's batting looks stronger, taking into consideration experience and other factors. I think India has a very good chance to win the Australia series," the left-arm pacer said.

Zaheer feels Indian batsmen have to support their bowlers who are successful in taking 20 wickets every match.

"I think it's a good chance if the batsmen can give a platform to the bowlers by scoring 350-400 runs when they bat first or try and get better than the opposition while batting second. If that happens, then I think the bowling has that ability because a lot of them have been there before. So they are capable of putting pressure on Australia."

It will be Kohli's show again. "Virat has done exceedingly well of late and he will deliver again. Like I said earlier, India has a very good chance to win this time," Zaheer added.

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 03 Dec, 2018

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