5 Reasons why Virat Kohli should back Stuart Binny as a Test all-rounder

Will India’s search for a permanent all-rounder at the Test level end? That is a perennial query which is refusing to die from ages. The worth of all-rounders is not to be described rather acknowledged. From the likes of Gary Sobers to Jacques Kallis, they have proved how excellence in both the departments can come in handy. With Virat Kohli clearly expressing his roadmap ahead which is to play with 5 bowlers in Test matches, India also needs somebody who fits in that role. Bowlers who can bat and batsmen who can bowl is never the way to go when you are picking a Test team. Keeping that in mind Stuart Binny, who did a fine job in Sri Lanka could be the answer. Here are the 5 Reasons why Virat Kohli should back Stuart Binny as a Test all-rounder:

Today we list out 5 Reasons why Virat Kohli should back Stuart Binny as a Test all-rounder:

1. Pace bowling option:

Unlike other potential all-rounders like Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin, Binny provides the Indian side a seam bowling option. That is an excellent proposition to have specially when playing abroad. It would allow India to go into a match with 2 spinners if the pitch is expected to turn on the last few days. Apart from that the two genuine pacers would have their workload reduced and get the much-needed rest. When playing in India and the hosts deciding to go with 3 spinners this would make sure that the Indian attack does not become uni-dimensional and Binny can lend company to the other quick.

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2. Not a bits and pieces player:

An educated look into the career of Binny at the domestic level would reveal that he is not someone who bats a bit, bowls a bit. Genuine all-rounder are a rare breed and Binny is one from that category. He has toiled hard in the Ranji Trophy for about a decade and has given ample proof that he could make the side based on any of his disciplines. He was also a vital cog in Karnataka’s successful 2013-14 Ranji Trophy campaign and helped them to a win in the Irani Trophy in the same season with a brisk hundred. If the pitch is helpful he can sometimes give the impression of being unplayable, all credit to his prodigious swing.

3. He has the other T as well – Temperament:

Talent might be the most talked about the word but it doesn’t always give the assurance of performance. Rohit Sharma is a classic example. But the Karnataka all-rounder has what it takes to succeed at the highest level. It was evident when he picked up 6 for 4 against Bangladesh in the 2014 and helped India defend a paltry 105. Those figures are the best by an Indian in the 50-over format. And that is not the only one. The same year he contributed with the bat by scoring 78 runs in the Trentbridge Test against England and helped India save the game.

4. The IPL experience:

Having being picked by Rajasthan Royals in 2011, Binny boosted his reputation with breezy death-over cameos for the side and chipping in with crucial wickets whenever needed. Working with the likes of Rahul Dravid and Paddy Upton reflects in his game and he is set to scale new heights in the coming years. The IPL has also allowed him to get accustomed to high-pressure situations and that can only help in the future. Though T20s might not be the best way to judge a player, Binny has shown the technique and survival skills to suit all formats of the game.

5. Better than other candidates:

If one looks out for men who are equally good with the cherry and the willow in Indian cricket at the moment there won’t be many. Ravindra Jadeja was soon found out at the Test level while expecting R Ashwin to score frequently would be asking too much of your premier spin bowler. Keeping Binny in the side, Virat can then shuffle around with the batting order as per the game situation. Attacking style of play is the plus point for Binny and Virat is not the kind of person who will ask him to change that. At times when India lose early wickets, they go into the shell and Stuart’s services could come in handy at that juncture considering he is at ease while taking the attack to the opponents.