Melbourne:
Former Australia paceman Damien Fleming says that India should invest in someone like Jasprit Bumrah to add to their fast bowling arsenal as he found the youngster very impressive in the two games he has played so far against the hosts.
In an encouraging start to his international career, Bumrah bagged two wickets in the fifth ODI and also made it count in his first T20, returning a three-wicket haul.
Fleming believes that India should back youngsters like Bumrah for success abroad.
“I liked the look of him. He was the bowler of the match for me in Sydney, and he has done very well here in Adelaide too. He obviously isn’t lacking in confidence after playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He has a unique action and I hope his body holds up well in international cricket,” said Fleming.
“Because he is quick and has good bounce, and he even bowled well in the death overs (in both matches), and Indian cricket should be investing in someone like that.”
Fleming said investing in youth was the way forward for India so that the players can back themselves in tough situations later on.
“And India have been helped in this because there hasn’t been a lot of assistance for spinners in the pitches on this tour. There hasn’t been a lot of swing around, but nothing at all for the spinners, perhaps leaving the Melbourne ODI and here in Adelaide.
“So someone like R Ashwin will be disappointed that he didn’t play at the MCG, but ended up playing in the first two ODIs. In the end, it helped India test some young players.”
Fleming said addition of Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra to the side was an indication that India’s preparations for the upcoming World Twenty20 are in full swing.
“This T20 series is obviously more important than the ODIs prior. And this is why they have flown the senior, more experienced players in, to start ticking some boxes for the World T20, especially the players they definitely want for that tournament. It’s pretty evident India would want to win it at home,” Fleming said.
