India Ready for Edgbaston Showdown: Reddy and Sundar on the Line, Bumrah's Rest Likely
India Ready for Edgbaston Showdown: Reddy and Sundar on the Line, Bumrah's Rest Likely
After a disheartening loss in the first Test, India's net session on Monday offered crucial insights into their potential playing XI for the second Test at Edgbaston. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate heavily hinted at the inclusion of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and spinner Washington Sundar, while suggesting that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah would likely be rested for workload management. The team is also contemplating a two-spinner strategy to counter England's aggressive batting.
Following a stinging defeat in the series opener, the Indian camp in Birmingham is abuzz with tactical discussions as they eye a comeback in the five-Test series. The net session on Monday, closely observed by media and fans, provided compelling clues about the team's likely approach for the crucial second Test, starting Tomorrow.
Reddy Set for Debut? Signs Point to Batting All-rounder's Inclusion
The most significant hint emerged from the white board at the nets, which surprisingly listed all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as a lead bowler alongside frontline batsmen. While not an official confirmation, this strongly suggests a potential debut for the young talent. Adding to the speculation, Reddy was seen fielding keenly in the slip cordon alongside established players like Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill, with B Sai Sudharsan at gully, before the main net session. Furthermore, Shardul Thakur's conspicuously subdued bowling session, where he focused on batting, further fuels the idea of Reddy replacing him to bolster India's batting depth, a concern after two late-order collapses in the first Test.
Assistant Coach Ryan ten Doeschate openly backed Reddy, stating, "Nitish is very close to getting a game. Obviously, he was fantastic in Australia. We’re looking at ways of rejigging the puzzle 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."
Two Spinners on the Cards? Washington Sundar in Focus
Another significant takeaway from the nets was the extensive attention given to Washington Sundar. He bowled prolonged spells alongside senior spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, with coach Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah keenly observing the trio. Doeschate confirmed the team's strong inclination to play two spinners, "There is a very strong chance of playing two spinners. It’s just which two we play. All three spinners are bowling very nicely, while Washy is batting very nicely." Sundar's extended batting session against throw-down experts also underscores his all-round value, potentially giving him an edge over Kuldeep Yadav, especially with the team seeking to address late-order batting issues.
Bumrah's Workload Management Takes Priority
The burning question surrounding Jasprit Bumrah's participation for the Edgbaston Test remains. Despite his presence at nets, engaging in light running, fielding, and a bit of bowling, a clear decision is yet to be made. With a mere three-day gap before the third Test, the team management seems unlikely to risk their primary wicket-taker. Coach Gambhir's earlier statement about "no compromise on his workload management" regardless of the result reinforces this stance.
Doeschate elaborated, "Technically he’s available but we haven’t made a decision whether he’s going to play or not. Given conditions and workload and how we think we can best manage the next 4 Tests, we haven’t made a call on that. We feel we can go 1-1 or keep the score at 1-0 without Jasprit." This indicates a strategic approach to save Bumrah for later, more crucial matches in the series.
Kuldeep Yadav Faces Uphill Battle for Selection
Despite a long net session, Kuldeep Yadav's chances appear slim. The whiteboard specifically indicated he was to face local net bowlers, not his teammates, a strong hint that he's not being prepared for the immediate playing XI. Given the focus on batting depth, and Sundar's all-round abilities, Kuldeep might have to wait for his opportunity later in the series.
Fielding Tweaks for Yashasvi Jaiswal
Finally, India is also looking to fine-tune their fielding positions. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped three catches at Headingley, was seen practicing at short-leg, a position crucial for spinners. This suggests a potential shift to manage his confidence and leverage his catching abilities in a different role. "We want to manage his confidence. There’s also an argument for the short-leg, you know, being a very important position, particularly if you are going to play two spinners. Maybe just give Yashasvi a break from catching at gully. His hands are quite sore. We want to get his confidence back up," said the assistant coach.
The stage is set for an intriguing second Test as India aims to bounce back with what looks like a revamped playing XI.
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