Former India cricketer and presenter Abhinav Mukund shared his views on the Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi not being picked for the Test tour of New Zealand, which will commence on November 19.
While Nabi has been included in India’s squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs, he has been left out of the 16-member Test squad. India’s pace attack for the Test series comprises Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj.
“It’s a tough space to be in. And it depends on the type of bowler you want. I would feel upset if I’m Auqib Nabi. And if you ask me what his best format was, I would say red-ball cricket. And overseas red-ball cricket is something that I would pick Auqib Nabi for. They picked him for the last two ODIs of the New Zealand series. So yes, it’s unfortunately a tough decision to make. I’m sure he’ll come back pretty hard considering that he’s been omitted from the side,” Mukund said on Cricinfo.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to spearhead India’s pace attack in the two-match Test series against New Zealand. For the third seamer’s spot, India have Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Anshul Kamboj as options. Mukund, however, backed Akash Deep to fill the role.
“If Prasidh is fully fit, then definitely Bumrah, Siraj and Prasidh. But, if the choice is between Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj, I would pick Akash Deep,” he added.
India’s Test squad vs NZ: Shubman Gill [C], Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul [VC], Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant [WK]*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Note: *Subject to fitness clearance
NZ vs IND Test Series Schedule:
First Test, 19-23 November, Wellington
Second Test, 27 November-1 December, Christchurch
