Will be conservative move playing extra batsman, believes Bharat Arun

India lost the first Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham by 31 runs before departing for London for the second Test at the ‘Home of Cricket’. Interestingly, former Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar suggested the Indian team to play with an extra batsman in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara considering his strong technique. Other cricketers including Harbhajan Singh also stated that India should consider playing an extra batsman in the second Test.

However, Arun disagreed with such idea and felt that it was a conservative move considering the bowler-friendly pitch at Lord’s. He stated that the conditions at the ‘Home of cricket’ will not favour the batsmen much as compared to Edgbaston.

“Playing an extra batsman here (at Lord’s) will be a conservative move. Everything will depend on the conditions and as far as we have noticed they (the conditions) are not as friendly (for batsmen) as it was in the first Test. It makes more sense to play with five bowlers here,” Arun said during a press conference.

Arun also expressed his satisfaction after the bowlers once again took 20 wickets in a Test match in overseas conditions. He felt the bowlers did a good job and there was a huge improvement from the first innings to the second.

“We can’t ask for anything better as the bowlers once again picked 20 wickets in the match. They did a good job but there is still room for improvement. I feel there was a huge improvement from the first innings to the second which was brilliant,” he added.

Hardik Pandya bowled only 10 overs in the first innings and none in the second. Speaking of which, Arun said that it is a good sign as the specialists are doing well. However, the 55-year-old praised Pandya’s efforts in South Africa and felt that the all-rounder would definitely play a part in the second Test.

“The less Hardik bowls, it augurs well for the team as it means that the specialists have done very well. I am not against Hardik as he was brilliant for us in South Africa. I am quite sure that he will play a part at Lord’s,” Arun said.

When asked about the playing XI combination Arun stated that the team will take a call the next day after assessing the conditions even further.

“We will take a call tomorrow regarding whom to pick and whom to exclude. The bowlers have done well and we will have to assess the conditions to make the final call,” he concluded.