India's team selection for the second Test against England in Birmingham has ignited a storm of controversy, with former Australian batter Tom Moody joining the chorus of critics. The primary point of contention revolves around the exclusion of a key player, and while many initially assumed it was Jasprit Bumrah, Moody's criticism is directed elsewhere.
Moody openly questioned India's choices for their final eleven, highlighting the perceived gamble of including five specialist batters while continuing to prioritize all-rounders. He expressed his bewilderment at this strategy, especially considering its previous lack of success. In a post on X, Moody stated that not picking Bumrah was understandable, but only having five specialist batsmen was a gamble. He further added that the focus on all-rounders to provide depth with both bat and ball has never worked and that specialists usually offer more in a Test match.
Several other prominent voices in the cricketing world have also voiced their concerns about the team selection. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed his surprise at the composition of the playing XI. Sunil Gavaskar questioned the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, particularly given the pitch conditions. Ravi Shastri was critical of resting Bumrah for such a crucial match. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch also expressed surprise over the exclusion of Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah, cited as workload management, has been a major talking point. While Bumrah is undoubtedly a key player, some argue that resting him for such a critical Test match is a risky move. The logic behind this decision, as explained by captain Shubman Gill, is that the pitch at Lord's for the third Test is expected to offer more assistance to bowlers, making Bumrah's presence more impactful there. However, this explanation has not quelled the concerns of those who believe India needs its best players available for every match, especially when trailing in a series.
The inclusion of three new faces – Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep – has also raised eyebrows. While these players bring fresh energy and versatility to the squad, their inclusion at the expense of established players has been questioned. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar were likely to play, while Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav were unlikely, according to hints from assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate before the match. For the second Test, India replaced Bumrah with Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur with Nitish Kumar Reddy. The most notable change was Washington Sundar, a spin-bowling all-rounder, replacing Sai Sudharsan.
Another controversial decision was dropping Sai Sudharsan after an underwhelming debut in the first Test. While Sudharsan's performance in the first Test was not stellar, some argue that he should have been given more time to prove himself. Dropping a player after just one match can be detrimental to their confidence and development.
The justification for these changes, according to captain Shubman Gill, is to add batting depth to the lower order. The team's collapses in the first Test, where they lost 7 for 41 and 6 for 31 in both innings, highlighted a need for greater stability down the order. By including all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the team aims to provide a cushion and prevent further collapses. However, critics like Tom Moody argue that this focus on all-rounders has not been successful in the past and that specialist batsmen are more likely to provide the necessary stability.
Ultimately, the success of these changes remains to be seen. India's performance in the second Test will either validate the team management's decisions or further fuel the criticism. Only time will tell if these changes can help India level the series and regain momentum.
