SUPERSUB: Don’t experiment with Dawson & Jennings in fantasy cricket for Mumbai Test

THE ON-GOING India-England Test series has seen quite a few injuries in both camps. While the hosts have concerns over their No.1 wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha’s and opener KL Rahul’s injury, the visitors have lost their promising young batsman in Haseeb Hameed and spinner Zafar Ansari. 

While India has found a decent replacement in Parthiv Patel, who will continue to keep wickets at Wankhede, it remains to be seen if the visitors introduce their debutants in the form of Keaton Jennings and Liam Dawson. 

Barring Adil Rashid, all other English spinners have struggled to pick wickets on this tour. However, Dawson is coming off an impressive run in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. The left-arm orthodox spinner played for the Rangpur Riders this season and was consistently amongst the wickets. On a few occasions, he even contributed with the willow. 

Currently, England have a front line offie in Moeen Ali and a leggie in Rashid. If they include Dawson for the Mumbai Test, the tourists will have a full range of spinners, which will further make it challenging for the hosts to negotiate. 

Moreover, Dawson is also a better batsman in comparison to Gareth Batty and will further add depth to the England lower order. 

Meanwhile, England might also consider giving Keaton Jennnings a go as an opener in place of the injured Hameed. The 24 year old might very well open with skipper Alastair Cook for this game.

The southpaw was a part of the England Lions squad touring the UAE and also ended up scoring a century on December 2. He has also had a terrific English domestic season and it shouldn’t be a surprise if he is presented with his Test cap in Mumbai. We also feel that England might not play Gary Ballance, given his dodgy technique. 

All said, the big question is should you be picking these two potential debutants in your fantasy cricket teams for the Mumbai Test? 

Well, we would advise you to stay away from them. Even if Jennings ends up making his debut, the Indian bowlers are likely to get him out cheaply. Furthermore, you might as well pick someone more experienced. 

As far as Dawson goes, we think the Indian batsmen have done fairly well negotiating the challenge of Ali and Rashid. Therefore, there is little to suggest that Dawson might trouble the hosts. Also, it will be interesting to see where he gets placed in fantasy cricket. 

Our recommendation would be to leave both these blokes out for the fourth Test in Mumbai and if the duo is able to make a statement or two, you can always consider them for the final Test.