New Delhi: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels New Zealand pacer Trent Boult forms a formidable pair with Jasprit Bumrah. This pace combination will give Mumbai Indians (MI) an edge over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in this year’s IPL opener. Gautam Gambhir also said it will be a challenge for CSK to deal with the MI pace duo in the absence of Suresh Raina.
Boult was roped in by MI as a replacement for experienced Sri Lankan seamer Lasith Malinga. The latter opted out of the 13th IPL due to personal reasons.
Gambhir said he is waiting to see how Boult and Bumrah go about their business when the first match starts.
“I am really excited to watch how Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah will bowl with the new ball. We all know Bumrah and Boult are world class bowlers, and in the T20 format both are wicket-taking options.” He was voicing his opinion during a popular cricket show on TV.
“A left-arm seamer will bring the ball inside for a right hand batsman. On the other hand Bumrah believes in an unorthodox style of bowling,” Gambhir pointed out.
A vital cog in CSK’s wheel, Raina had pulled out of the IPL due to ‘personal reasons’. Gambhir feel it will be a challenge for CSK without him at No.3.
“There will be a challenge for CSK considering they do not have Raina batting at No. 3. Shane Watson has not played international cricket for a long time. So the opening and No.3 slots are vital going into the game against MI. I would certainly want to know who opens with Watson,” Gambhir said.
Gambhir is a a two-time IPL-winning skipper. He believes four-time champions MI will be favourites against CSK. This is because of their overall team balance and depth after the addition of Boult.
“I am skewed more towards MI for the opening match. If we notice the team balance and the depth of the squad while not forgetting the addition of Boult can prove to be an excellent option,” asserted Gambhir
“Every team wants a bowler who will take wickets with the new ball and use Bumrah in an experimental way. I would want to see how these two bowlers perform not only in the first match but throughout the tournament,” he added.
Former India batsman and ex batting coach Sanjay Bangar said it will be interesting to see how CSK skipper MS Dhoni manages the fielding positions of the senior players in the team.
“MSD as a captain, I know has a lot of experience. He has other experienced players as well. It will be interesting to see how he will adjust these experienced players on field,” Bangar said.