"Jasprit Bumrah can be a good choice for the first Test in Cape Town. I don't know what's there in the team management's mind but he is the kind of bowler, who can be an asset on the Newlands track during the first Test," Nehra told PTI during an interview on the South Africa tour.
The former left-arm pacer then elaborately explained why he feels that Bumrah could prove to be a good choice.
"He has the most lethal yorker among the five pacers along with good slower ones. Also he has an awkward high-arm action, which can be very difficult to pick initially. All these factors work in Bumrah's favour," feels Nehra, who was a part of the 2001 Test series in the country.
The weather in Cape Town during this time of the year, according to Nehra, will also play a vital role.
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"Also if one looks at Bumrah's record, he has the ability to bowl long spells. He has done it for Gujarat, so I don't see any reason why he can't do it for India," Nehra said.
Having bowled with the red SG Test ball in first-class cricket, it will be Bumrah's first tryst with the red kookaburra but that hardly is a problem, feels Nehra.
For Nehra, if India goes with three pacers and a spinner, his personal top two will be Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.
"Shami is your strike bowler but he will at the maximum bowl six over spells at one go. He is your main weapon and you have to use him judiciously. Now people raise questions about Ishant Sharma's strike-rate but it needs to be realised that what he brings to the table.
He agreed that the choice of third pacer (provided India play the lone spinner) could be a bit tricky based on conditions.
"It's the choice between Bumrah, Bhuvi and Umesh Yadav. Now Umesh has a fantastic outswinger at a good pace. He has bowled a lot in home conditions during the past season and is also a contender. But I believe the choice would be very much condition specific," he opined.
"It's well-documented by now that each and every top cricketing nation nowadays is playing well at home. Look at Ashes, where Australia have not only won it but they dominated each of the first three Test matches.
"Obviously South Africa will come hard at us but this is a very balanced team. This is currently the best Indian team that had picked itself," Nehra said.
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