Former England captain Alastair Cook lauded India for leaving out legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from their playing XI in the first Test against Australia in Perth. He felt that Ashwin would have performed at the Optus Stadium, but he backed the management’s decision to go ahead with four pacers in the pace-friendly conditions. The 39-year-old lauded the visiting team for not leaving a chance despite getting bowled out for 150 in their first innings.
“They were brave as it is not easy to leave out a bowler who has taken more than 500 Test wickets. I know Ashwin would have been outstanding in Perth, but great thinking by the team management,” Cook said on TNT Sports.
“India were brave. They won the toss and elected to bat first on that wicket. The score was 150, but they didn’t lose confidence. It was not going to be easy for both the teams, but India were aware that it was going to take one good innings to win the match,” he added.
Nitish Kumar Reddy was the fourth pacer for the first Test. He took the wicket of Mitchell Marsh in the second innings. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were benched to include Washington Sundar.
Cook said that most captains would have bowled first instead of batting, but Bumrah made the right call in the end.
“I think most skippers would have bowled first, but India had different plans. It was an all-round performance by them.
“Coming back into the game despite scoring 150 in the first innings was fantastic. Bumrah led from the front with eight wickets.”
Australia was restricted to 104 in their first wickets, with Bumrah dismissing five batters.
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