IND v BAN: Can Rohit Sharma employ three spinner strategy during Kanpur Test?

Having won the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai, the focus moves on to the next game in Kanpur. Rohit Sharma will have a lot of things to ponder ahead of the second Test starting on Friday. In Chennai, the home team went in with three pace bowlers and two spinners and the ploy worked well. 

The surface in Kanpur will offer a lot more assistance to the spinners. This will also bring Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel into contention. The last time India played a Test match at this venue the game ended in a draw.  

Kuldeep Yadav in particular will be a favored choice since this is his home ground. The left-arm wrist spinner did well in his last Test against England. The 29-year-old picked a fifer against the English side and also went on to score runs with the bat. 

Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for Kanpur Test?

After bowling well in Chennai, the Indian team management might look to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the next game. Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir know that Bumrah cannot be overworked during the home season. With the Australian series looming large, it is imperative for Bumrah to be protected. 

If India does go in with three spin bowlers, there is a larger chance of Akash Deep being given a bigger role. The 28-year-old bowled with good pace during the 1st game in Chennai where he picked 2 wickets in two balls. 

There is also an outside chance of Yash Dayal getting a game. The left-arm seamer is a home town boy and will offer a different variation. In this scenario, Mohammed Siraj could also be given a rest just for Rohit Sharma to test the waters. 

Axar Patel could be considered if India wants to make their batting bigger. The only problem is that Axar and his skill set is similar to Ravindra Jadeja. This makes Kuldeep Yadav a better option for the third spinner spot. 

Green Park Stadium has always been a haven for spin bowlers. In the last Test against New Zealand, R. Ashwin picked 6 wickets in the game while Jadeja picked 5 wickets in total. With the lights fading the Kiwis escaped with a respectable draw. Axar Patel was the third spinner in the team and he picked a fifer in the 1st innings of the game. 

It is going to be a tight race and there is a problem of plenty for the right reason for Rohit Sharma and the team management. With the kind of conditions one can encounter, the team combination and prospective playing XI in Kanpur can be an enticing one.