Irfan Pathan says India should play Arshdeep Singh ahead of Prasidh Krishna for 2nd Test against England

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes India should play Arshdeep Singh ahead of Prasidh Krishna for the second Test against England. Singh will bring a left-handed angle to the crease, but he is yet to make his debut.

Krishna, on the other hand, could not deliver in the opening Test against England as he bowled a short length. The lanky pacer returned with figures of 3-128 in the first innings in 20 overs he bowled, conceding his runs at an economy rate of 6.40. In the second innings, Krishna took two wickets but once again gave away 92 runs in 15 overs he bowled, conceding his runs at 6.10.

Pathan reckons Arshdeep Singh can provide control whenever required.

“I feel Arshdeep Singh should be played. Although Arshdeep hasn’t yet made his debut, he can provide control whenever required. He can bowl in good areas. He is tall and swings the ball both ways. Since his body breaks forward, he might find it easier to control the line, which we found missing in the last match. I felt, barring Bumrah, there was no control in bowling,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel.

The former Baroda all-rounder said India could back Singh ahead of Krishna as the latter lacks control in his bowling.

“The way England plays Bazball cricket by showing aggression, you need to bowl in one area spell after spell, especially with the old ball, which Arshdeep can do, although he lacks pace. The question will be whether Prasidh, who didn’t show control but picked up wickets, or Arshdeep should be played. The Indian team can go towards Arshdeep,” he observed.

Meanwhile, Pathan said Akash Deep should play if Jasprit Bumrah is rested to manage his workload.

“If Bumrah isn’t there, who can get a place in the XI – Akash Deep. Based on whatever I saw in the nets, he was slightly injured earlier, but he is regaining his rhythm. He has a straight seam position. I feel he is a Shami-mold bowler,” he said.

Pathan reckons England could struggle against Akash Deep if they adopt an aggressive approach against the fast bowler.

“He can trouble the England batters with his straight seam. He gets late movement. If they show too much aggression against Akash Deep, they can get into trouble. In my opinion, Akash Deep should be the straight replacement for Jasprit Bumrah if he doesn’t play,” Pathan observed.

The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.