There is a lot of discussion about the Edgbaston Test between England and India. This match will be special because, after a long time, the Indian team are planning to play with two spinners in England. Generally, the conditions there are considered favourable for fast bowlers, but the team has come up with this new strategy from some past experiences. Captain Shubman Gill has indicated that the team are seriously considering the option of a second spinner, but he has still kept a veil on who will get the chance.
The Indian team had difficulty stopping runs in the fourth innings at Leeds. Then Gill admitted that if there was an additional spinner, the situation would have been slightly different. Keeping this in mind, the team management is thinking of playing with two spinners this time.
ENG vs IND: What did Shubman Gill say about the team combination for the Edgbaston Test?
India currently have three options - Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar. Jadeja bowled the most overs in Leeds, but could not make an impact. He took only one wicket in two innings and also conceded runs quickly. If Kuldeep Yadav is given a place, then a fast bowler will have to sit out.
If Sundar gets a chance, Jadeja may have to be dropped from the playing eleven. Sundar may not have played many matches in England, but his recent form has made him a strong option. He scored a half-century in Melbourne and also stitched together an important partnership for the eighth wicket. Gill said that the final decision will be taken only after examining the pitch for the last time, but there is no hope of much change in the spin combination.
“We felt in Leeds that an extra spinner would help contain the flow of runs, especially in the third or fourth innings. We would take the call this evening after assessing the pitch one last time. I don’t think it will be a direct swap, but it would not change the combination. We have decided on the spinner but want to see the pitch one last time,” Shubman Gill said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the IND vs ENG Edgbaston Test.
Opinion:
Now, if we give our opinion on this whole issue, then we think this step of the Indian team is the need of the hour. Traditional thinking in England says that only swing and seam bowlers win matches, but in the last few years, it has been seen that the pitches are proving to be helpful for spinners on the fifth day as well.
The Leeds Test is a recent example of this, where no strong measure was seen to stop the runs. The team had high expectations from an experienced player like Jadeja, but his impact is decreasing. Both the captain and the coach know that Kuldeep Yadav's wrist magic can turn the match at any time.
Washington Sundar's contribution with the bat gives balance to the team, especially if long batting is required. Although Sundar does not have experience in England, he still brings new energy. In such a situation, I think it would be right to give Jadeja some rest. The pair of Kuldeep and Sundar can give a new direction to the team according to the pitch. It is also wise to maintain suspense over Gill's combination so that the opposition team is not able to prepare. Overall, India should move a little out of traditional thinking and make a team according to the situation. If this move succeeds in Edgbaston, then the thinking of two spinners will be strengthened even on foreign tours in the future.
