Sunil Gavaskar bats for Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal's inclusion in the Test side

Bumrah Chahal India Cricket — Bumrah and Chahal's economical overs helped India edge out New Zelaand in the T20 series decider

What's the story?

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar was full of praise for the Indian duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Jasprit Bumrah following India's narrow win over New Zealand in the T20 decider at Trivandrum on Tuesday, calling for their inclusion in the Test side as well.

Bumrah picked up two wickets conceding just 9 runs while Chahal gave away only 8 runs as India successfully defended a total of 67 set in 8 overs in the rain-curtailed match to help the hosts clinch the series 2-1.

“They (Bumrah and Chahal) were fantastic. They brought their Indian Premier League experience into play," Gavaskar said. “Both of them should be considered for the Test matches too."

In case you didn't know...

Bumrah has made a successful transition from the IPL to the international level and has been India's specialist death overs bowler - a role he has handled with a level of maturity way beyond his age.

Chahal has been outstanding as well and along with Kuldeep Yadav, has managed to keep the more experienced spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja out of the national side in the limited overs formats.

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The heart of the matter

Having already won the ODI series over New Zealand 2-1, India headed into the final T20 at Trivandrum hoping to continue their winning spree that saw them whitewash Sri Lanka in their own backyard in all three formats of the game and get the better of Australia in the ODI series with the T20 series ending in a draw following a washout at Hyderabad.

While rain once again threatened to play spoilsport, the sell-out crowd at Trivandrum got their money fully worth as the Indian side claimed a narrow win over the tourists despite scoring only 67 runs in their 8 overs.

The credit for the victory was deservedly reserved for Chahal and Bumrah who choked the opposition with their miserly figures and Gavaskar feels that the duo have it in them to translate their limited-overs success to the 5-day format as well.

The duo have only played in ODI and T20I cricket for India as of now but Gavaskar is hopeful that the Indian selectors give them a chance to deliver on the Test arena as well.

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What's next?

Having broken the jinx of having not won a T20I against New Zealand during the course of the series, India will welcome Sri Lanka next before heading for a tough away assignment in South Africa.

Like Dav Whatmore said following the T20 win over New Zealand, Gavaskar expects India's dominance to continue and believes that the present side has the potential to become India's greatest side in history.

Author's take

Both Chahal and Bumrah used the IPL to showcase their talent to the Indian selectors and they have well and truly repaid the faith shown in them with their consistent performances at the international level since making their debut.