Holding doubts Bumrah’s ability
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■ Johannesburg, Jan. 29: West Indies legend Michael Holding has serious doubts over Bumrah’s ability as a new ball bowler and said his specific skills do not make him an automatic choice in the XI during India’s tour of England later this year.
“I am not sure he is going to be a good new ball bowler. He struggles to take the ball away from right- handers when bowling with the new ball. So he wouldn’t be my first choice ( on overseas tours). My first choice is always Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” Holding said.
“Then I would think about Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami. When India play in England, pitches will be drastically different to South Africa. I wouldn’t play Bumrah because he bangs the ball in. Those pitches need someone to bowl so that the ball who kisses the surface and gets it to move around.”
Holding was full of praise for the bowling contingent. “The Indian bowlers have done an excellent job. I will never fault them on this tour. It’s the batting that has failed India,” said Holding.
Holding, however, was disappointed with offspinner Ravichandaran Ashwin, who had played in the first two Tests. “I was disappointed with R. Ashwin’s bowling at Centurion. In the second innings, he bowled as if he was bowling in a limited overs game. His line was wrong. For an offspinner who spins the ball, it was too straight. It was too negative,” he said.