India vs Australia: Navdeep Saini better suited than Natarajan, Shardul to play in Sydney - Ashish Nehra

Former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra has backed Navdeep Saini to make his Test debut for India in the 3rd Test in Sydney against Australia, saying the tall pacer can generate pace and bounce to make use of the conditions at the SCG.

Ashish Nehra believes there should be no debate on the selection for the third pacer even as Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan are in the race. While Saini was picked in the squad initially, Thakur and Natarajan were added as injury replacements. Nehra believes there is no reason for Saini to drop down the pecking order despite him going for runs in the ODI series.

India lost Umesh Yadav to an injury during their 8-wicket win in Melbourne during the 2nd innings. India were without Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma who were ruled out with injuries as well.

"If you look at squad composition, Saini was first choice and Shardul and Natarajan both came in as replacements for Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav," Ashish Nehra.

"So if Saini was ahead of them during initial Test squad selection, I don't see any reason why he would slip down in the pecking order. You selected him first, so obviously, you believed he was better than the other two. Isn't it?"

'Navdeep Saini has a mean bouncer'

Nehra explained how Saini can trouble the Australia batsmen, whom he believes are vulnerable against short-pitched stuff, by using the pace and bounce that he can generate with his height. The former pacer pointed out that Natarajan is still inexperienced at the longest format Saini seems to be a better pick at this moment.

"Navdeep's biggest assets are bounce and extra pace. This is a Test match. How does Natarajan normally get his wickets? When people are trying to hit him. Also, you haven't tested Natarajan by playing him for India A like you did with Mohammed Siraj, who has risen through the ranks," Nehra said.

"Similarly, Navdeep has also come up the ranks having been on multiple red ball tours of India A. In Test matches, batsmen normally don't get out. You have to get them out. That's the difference. On the Sydney pitch, you will require a bit more pace and Navdeep has that. There shouldn't be any debate as such. Sydney pitches what I saw during white-ball games, it was very flat.

"So when kookaburra seam will flatten out after some time, you will require that extra pace that Navdeep has and also he can get a bit of reverse swing.

"Also this Australian team is susceptible to short-pitched bowling, unlike Matthew Hayden or Ricky Ponting of yesteryears. Navdeep can be used better as he bowls a mean bouncer compared to a Natarajan or Shardul."