India have been feeling the heat ahead of the second Test against England, which starts on Wednesday at Edgbaston. After a tough defeat at Leeds in the first Test, where the bowling attack lacked bite and support for Jasprit Bumrah, India is now seriously considering changing its bowling combination.
Headingley had a flat pitch and offered very little movement to pacers int he first Test. And with the other seamers offering Bumrah no support, there has been a clamour for India to include a second spinner if the conditions are right.
Edgbaston, has in the past, offered help to slower bowlers as the matches progress, and with India trailing 0-1 in the series, this could be the right time to bring in a second spinner.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
India did play Ravindra Jadeja as the lone spinner in Headingley but he had very little impact. However, the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar wait in the wings for an opportunity. Let’s see what assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had to say ahead of this must-win Test.
Will India pick two spinners for Edgbaston?
Ten Doeschate confirmed that India are almost certain to play two spinners in the second Test. The decision now is just about who those two will be.
"There is a very strong chance of playing two spinners. It's just which two we play. All three spinners are bowling very nicely. Washi's batting very nicely. So it's just which combination do we go with? All-rounder spinner or the out-and-out spinner? And obviously, you have to play the bowling all-rounder again. So there are so many different variables," said ten Doeschate.
Kuldeep is also in the frame, thanks to his ability to extract spin and the mystery factor that his chinaman bowling brings. Sundar is also pushing for a spot because of his added value with the bat.
Kuldeep has done well every time he has played against England. He has taken 21 wickets in just six Tests against them, and was a key factor in India’s recent series win at home earlier this year.
MORE: Harmison speaks on a possible batters vs bowlers rift in the Indian dressing room
In white-ball matches too, Kuldeep has troubled England’s aggressive batters with his turn and variation. His inclusion could add a much-needed wicket-taking threat that India missed in Leeds, especially with the other bowlers, save Bumrah, looking toothless.
However, picking him may reduce India’s batting depth. That’s why the team is also thinking about Sundar, who can bat well and offer control with the ball.
Will India pick Nitish Reddy for the Edgbaston Test?
Ten Doeschate also gave an interesting update about all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, calling him “very close” to breaking into the XI. The young all-rounder had impressed everyone on the Australia tour and has been working hard in training.
"He's very close to getting a game. Obviously, he was fantastic in Australia - coming into the team and playing the way he did. We just felt, on balance, for the last game, we wanted to go with the bowling all-rounder. We thought Shardul was slightly ahead on the bowling front. We're looking at ways of rejigging the puzzle," the assistant coach said.
Check: IND vs ENG 2nd Test: What is India's record in Tests at Edgbaston, Birmingham?
"So we can get a batting all-rounder in. And obviously, Nitish is our premium batting all-rounder at the moment. So I would say it's a very good chance to play this Test," he added.
The inclusion of Nitish might give the team an extra seam option which could facilitate the inclusion of two spinners in the playing XI.