Gautam Gambhir wants India’s bench strength to come in action in 3rd SA ODI

India is currently facing South Africa in a three-match ODI series where they have already lost the series and the final contest only stands to be a dead rubber. While the men in blue lost the initial game by 31 runs, the second game saw hosts getting the better of visitors by seven wickets. Moving into the final game, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has called for testing India’s bench strength.

As India has tremendous bench strength and can completely field the second-string side in the final game, Gambhir feels the time has come for the same. He has suggested resting senior names like Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ravi Ashwin and calling in Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

“Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ravi Ashwin should be rested for the next match, and changes in the batting order aren’t needed. Jayant Yadav should be given a chance along with seamers like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. India needs to develop their second-string team and give chances to bowlers who can bowl above 140 kmph in South Africa,” Gambhir told Star Sports.

India have three-four options in their arsenal: Gautam Gambhir

The former Indian opener mulled that India have several options in their arsenal and even the likes of Navdeep Saini and Avesh Khan can be tested in the Rainbow nation. It is known to all that senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar couldn’t perform at his usual standards and went wicketless in both the ODIs. It was already in talks that Deepak Chahar should be roped in place of the senior pacer.

“India have three-four options in their arsenal. Navdeep Saini, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj. India should definitely give these players an opportunity. The third and final game can be termed as a dead rubber and it’s a good chance for the team management to test its second string,” Gambhir added.

Before the ODI series, India lost the Test series against South Africa 1-2 where they failed to come back after breaching the Centurion fortress under the leadership of Virat Kohli.