Former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra heaped praise on England pacer Jofra Archer and said that among all the young talented bowlers he has seen in the past 2-3 years, Archer is number one.
England cricket team created history as they beat India in the first Test by 227 runs to take a lead in the four-match Test series and put Virat Kohli-led Team India under tremendous pressure.
However, after being thumped by England in the first Test-match, Team India bounced back and registered their biggest victory over England by 317 runs to level the four-match Test series 1-1.
With the four-match Test series leveled 1-1, the focus now shifts to the third Test match, which also happens to be a day and night Test.
However, how the pink ball will behave under lights and throughout the day-night Test has been a hot topic of discussion and with the match being played in a new stadium, there is added uncertainty over how the pitch will behave.
Addressing the same former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra gave the example of Stuart Broad's under-performance in the last match and advised Joe Root to use his pacers judiciously.
“When we talk about pacers, England doesn’t have any shortage of pacers; Joe Root will have to charge them on the ground. For example, in the second Test in Chennai, experienced bowler Stuart Broad wasn’t seen in his best form, he didn’t even play the first Test match. In the second innings, his form was back but he got the ball very late in the game," Ashish Nehra said on Starsports cricket connected.
Ashish Nehra lauded English pacer Jofra Archer and said that Archer is number one among all the young bowlers he has ever seen.
"Jofra Archer is very talented; I believe among all the young talented bowlers we have seen in the past 2-3 years – Jofra Archer is number one. In the form Jofra Archer is in, especially if he’s in form and fit – It will benefit the England team," said Ashish Nehra.
Nehra while crediting James Anderson said that English skipper Joe Root would have to choose two pacers along with Anderson and have to analyze the pitch.
"About James Anderson, I don’t need to say much about his talent. Joe Root will be in a fix as to which three bowlers he should go ahead with or should he pick two bowlers, he will also have to analyze the pitch,” he said.
Ashish Nehra further said that English pacers have everything in their armory to beat India in Ahmedabad, even if the conditions will be spin-friendly like they were in Chennai.
"Even if India sees a similar wicket like Chennai, England still has a strong line-up, the way Stuart Broad bowls leg cutters and bowls wicket to wicket; Jofra Archer bowls pace and bounce, Jimmy Anderson has experience with his swing and reverse swing. England has everything in their armory," he concluded.
The remaining two Tests will be important for both India and England in the context of the ICC World Test Championship.
India needs to win 2-1 or 3-1 to qualify for the final of the maiden edition of the championship. While England has to beat India by a margin of 3-1 to face New Zealand in the final.
( Starsports inputs)
