Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has urged India to consider Mayank Yadav as a potential replacement for Mohammed Shami in their squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Lee believes Yadav’s raw pace and potential on bouncy wickets make him a valuable asset for India.
Shami’s fitness remains a concern, and Lee believes Yadav could step up in his absence. “He looks like someone who is a complete package,” Lee said. “If Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets.”
Lee, who has witnessed Yadav’s impressive performances in the IPL, highlighted his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. “He hit 157 kmph first up in his first game,” Lee said. “I don’t care who it is, no one wants to face that.”
India’s bowling attack boasts world-class talent, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Lee believes the combination of these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner is crucial for India’s success in Australia.
“On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it’s the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner,” Lee said. “You need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win.”
Lee also praised India’s overall strength as a team, describing them as a “powerhouse that don’t want to bow down.” He cautioned Australia against underestimating India’s ability to win on any given day.
“They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis,” Lee said. “They know they can beat anyone on any given day.”
Lee’s comments come after India’s eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test. He believes India may have been influenced by the aggressive approach of ‘Bazball,’ leading to some loose shots.
“Maybe it’s Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world,” Lee noted. “I know that India won’t be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots.”
India will play two more Tests against New Zealand before leaving for Australia. Lee believes the team needs to better assess conditions and weigh the risk factor when making decisions.
