The second Test between India and England is set to begin on July 2nd in Birmingham, and key decisions are being made by both teams ahead of the match. India, led by Shubman Gill, is grappling with team selection dilemmas, while England, under Ben Stokes, is riding high after their victory in the first Test.
Gill addressed the media on Tuesday, providing updates on Jasprit Bumrah's availability and the potential inclusion of a second spinner in the playing XI. Bumrah is available for selection, but a final decision on his inclusion will be made after assessing his workload and the pitch conditions. Gill emphasized the importance of finding the right combination to take 20 wickets and score runs. There is a strong possibility of India fielding two spinners in this Test, considering the dry nature of the pitch underneath the grass and the likelihood of turn as the match progresses. The candidates for the second spinner spot are Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.
The Edgbaston pitch is expected to offer good pace and bounce early on, favoring fast bowlers, before flattening out and becoming more conducive to batting. Spinners are likely to come into play from Day 3 onwards, as cracks and rough patches emerge. The weather forecast predicts rain and thunderstorms, which could add moisture to the pitch and favor seam bowlers, especially if cloud cover persists on Day 1.
England captain Ben Stokes has expressed his admiration for Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, calling him a "very dangerous player" and a personal favorite to watch. Stokes acknowledged Pant's game-changing abilities and his fearless approach to batting. Pant had a strong performance in the first Test, scoring centuries in both innings. Stokes noted that Pant's attacking style disrupts bowling strategies and that his role could again prove pivotal as the pitch becomes more batting-friendly. Stokes stated, "Even though he's in my opposition, I love watching him play,".
England has opted for an unchanged XI for the second Test, demonstrating confidence in the winning combination from the first match. India, on the other hand, is considering several changes to their lineup. Nitish Reddy is expected to replace Shardul Thakur, while Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep are contenders for the third seamer spot.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri has urged Shubman Gill to be more proactive as captain and stressed the importance of India throwing a counterpunch after their defeat in the first Test. Shastri hopes Bumrah will play in the second Test, recognizing its significance in the context of the series. He acknowledged that Gill made some mistakes in his first Test as captain but expects him to learn from the experience and be more assertive.
