3 changes India can make for the 3rd IND vs NZ 2024 Test ft. Mohammed Siraj for Jasprit Bumrah
Team India went down to New Zealand by 113 runs in the second Test played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Batting first after winning the toss on a surface where there was plenty on offer for spin bowlers, the Kiwis posted 259 even as off-spinner Washington Sundar starred for India with career-best figures of 7-59 from 23.1 overs.
In response, the hosts were bundled out for 156 in 45.3 overs as left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner 'did a Sundar' and registered his own career-best Test figures of 7-53. New Zealand scored 255 in their second essay on the back of skipper Tom Latham's 86, while Glenn Phillips (48*) and Tom Blundell (41) also made useful contributions with the willow.
Set to chase 359, India only managed to score 245 in their second essay. Yashasvi Jaiswal hammered 77 off 65 balls, but Santner again proved to be India's nemesis, claiming six wickets for 104 runs in 29 overs.
India will look to avoid a whitewash in the third and final Test to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1 to November 5. We predict three possible changes the hosts could make for the third Test against New Zealand.
#1 Mohammed Siraj for Jasprit Bumrah
With the grueling five-match Test series against Australia to follow, India would do well to give some rest to lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm pacer has bowled 41 overs so far in the Test series against New Zealand and has picked up three wickets at an average of 42.33.
All his three scalps came in the first Test in Bengaluru, while he went wicketless in Pune. While there should be no cause for concern over the fast bowler's performance against New Zealand, the time seems right to give him a respite ahead of the massive challenge Down Under.
Former India keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik also feels the same. He told Cricbuzz during a recent discussion:
“Jasprit Bumrah definitely needs a rest without a doubt. That is happening, and you will see Mohammed Siraj come in."
Speaking of Mohammed Siraj, the right-arm pacer featured in the first Test in Bengaluru and picked up two wickets in 25 overs. The 30-year-old did not look in great rhythm. Considering that Siraj has been picked for the Australia tour, it is important that he finds some confidence ahead of the big series.
#2 Dhruv Jurel for Rishabh Pant
Apart from Bumrah, India could also utilize the Mumbai Test against New Zealand to give a break to another of the key members of the team ahead of the Australia tour. Keeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been a constant feature of the side ever since making his comeback.
The 27-year-old suffered an injury scare when he was struck on the same knee on which he had surgery post his car accident during the first Test in Bengaluru. He did not keep wickets after suffering the blow, although he did come out to bat and scored a defiant 99 off 105 balls in India's second innings.
Following India's defeat in Bengaluru, captain Rohit Sharma emphasized on the fact that the team needs to be extra careful with Pant considering all that he was gone through to make a comeback to international cricket. It would thus make a lot of sense for India to rest Pant in Mumbai and give the gloves to Dhruv Jurel, who did a more than decent job during the former's absence from the Test team.
#3 Axar Patel for Ravindra Jadeja
All-rounder Axar Patel has not been picked for the tour of Australia since the hosts have plenty of spin bowling options given the conditions Down Under. But the versatile cricketer could still prove handy in Indian conditions. While he has failed to replicate his success against England in 2021 in subsequent home Tests, the 30-year-old is a much improved batter and could be handy as an overall package.
Jadeja has not done a bad job with the bat, scoring 38 and 42 in Pune. However, both he and Ravichandran Ashwin have not been at their best with the ball against the Kiwis, having only picked up six scalps each across four innings.
India could thus give a breather to Jadeja and bring in Axar for the Mumbai Test. Incidentally, the latter has similar bowling skills to New Zealand's Pune Test hero Santner.