Daijiworld Media Network – Birmingham

Birmingham, Jul 3: The Indian team’s selection for the second Test against England has triggered widespread debate, with cricketing legends expressing surprise and concern over key omissions and the inclusion of three fresh names — Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep — none of whom featured in the first Test at Leeds.

Amid speculation that spinner Kuldeep Yadav would get a look-in following Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, the team instead opted for Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as the two spinners, sidelining Kuldeep once again.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly questioned the spin choices. “I am not sure whether India are playing their two best spinners,” he said during the Tea break on Day 1. He also expressed surprise at England choosing to field first. “This is India’s best chance — put runs on the board and hopefully it works out,” he added.

Sunil Gavaskar was more pointed in his criticism. “I'm baffled Kuldeep wasn't picked, especially on a pitch that offers turn,” he said on Sony Sports. “If your top-order batters are not scoring, replacing lower-order batsmen won’t solve the problem. India scored over 830 runs in the first Test. The real issue lies in the bowling, not the batting.”

Former head coach Ravi Shastri, too, joined the chorus of concern, expressing disbelief at the decision to rest a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah. “You don’t rest your best bowler in a must-win game,” he remarked, calling it a baffling move.

India is currently experiencing its worst Test run in over a decade, with just one victory in their last nine matches. The pressure is mounting on Shubman Gill and his men following their five-wicket loss to England in the opening Test at Leeds.