Ian Chappell: India should play five bowlers in the final Test

Ian Chappell

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels that India should field five specialist bowlers in the final cricket Test which starts from January 6^th.

Chappell said that he would like to see India use two spinners in a five-man bowling attack rather than the traditional four-man attack with a single spinner. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma featured as the sole spinner in the Adelaide Test while Ravichandran Ashwin replaced him in the next two matches.

"I probably favour a 3-0 result. I think what India have got to do, I don't know if they've got the players to do it, but I think they could go with an attack of three quickies and two spinners," Chappell told ESPNCricinfo.

India don’t have all-rounders like Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh

Ian Chappell, whose brother Greg managed India, said that Ravindra Jadeja’s replacement in the squad, left-arm spinner Akshar Patel could be an option for India.

Chappell said, "I don't know much about Patel, who has come out to replace Jadeja, but I think if they can go for three quickies and two spinners, that would be the right combination for Sydney.

"If they think Patel's got some potential, maybe that's the time to get him in because I think they haven't got anyone unlike Australia who have had Mitchell Marsh and you've got Shane Watson, who can give you eight, 10, 12 overs in a game.

"If Mitchell Marsh is there with Shane Watson, you can get more. India don't have anyone that can do that. They've got a couple of part-timers, but nothing serious. I think they've probably got to come up with the combination of five bowlers and the combination has got to be three quicks, two spinners."

Citing Glenn McGrath’s example, Chappell said that he felt India need to change their bowling strategy a bit.

"I think they have a chance (to take 20 wickets) but they're not given the proper chance. Some of the things they are being asked to do don't allow them to be consistent. When you're being asked to bang the thing into the track regularly, and suddenly you've got to bowl good line and length, that's not an easy thing to do. You know, a guy like Glenn McGrath, who was known for his accuracy, found that a very difficult thing to do. For inexperienced bowlers, it's almost impossible."