Former Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed disappointment with the team’s selections for the second Test against England, which commenced in Birmingham. India implemented three changes to their lineup from the first Test, bringing in allrounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, along with pacer Akash Deep. Notably absent was specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, a decision that baffled Gavaskar. He pointed out that the Birmingham pitch appeared to offer favorable conditions for spin, raising questions about Kuldeep’s exclusion.
“I’m a little baffled that Kuldeep wasn’t picked,… there’s a little more turn,” Gavaskar commented during a broadcast on Sony Sports. He emphasized that the issues faced by India’s top-order batsmen in the first Test—where they accumulated a staggering 830 runs, not the 380 they needed to address—should have directed the team’s focus toward strengthening their wicket-taking options rather than altering the batting order.
Adding to the discourse, former India head coach Ravi Shastri also questioned the decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah, suggesting that a fully fit Bumrah should have played in this crucial match. India has struggled in their Test campaign since October last year, managing just one victory in their last nine outings. The loss in the opening Test against England by five wickets only added to the pressure.
“This is a very, very important test match… after a rough run, you want to get back to winning ways,” Shastri remarked, noting the unexpected nature of resting their lead bowler. Bumrah, who achieved his 14th five-wicket haul in the first innings in Leeds, was rested to manage his workload as explained by Shubman Gill after the toss. Gill remarked that they anticipate more benefit from seemingly more conducive conditions at Lord’s for the third Test.
This ongoing cricket series has undoubtedly put India under considerable pressure, making every decision critical for their success moving forward. Despite the challenges faced by the team lately, there remains a sense of optimism that the changes made can lead to improved performances in upcoming matches.