• Home
  • Who Said What
  • I Am Surprised Ganguly Questions Team Indias Spin Attack In 2Nd Test Against England

"I Am Surprised": Ganguly Questions Team India’s Spin Attack In 2nd Test Against England

Rajgeeta Yadav

Sourav Ganguly Questions Gautam Gambhir’s Team Selection [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Sourav Ganguly Questions Gautam Gambhir’s Team Selection [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

The second Test between India and England in Birmingham has sparked a heated debate among fans and cricket experts. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has openly questioned the team picked by new head coach Gautam Gambhir. 

The inclusion of three new players; Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep, came as a surprise. Many were expecting left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to play, especially with Jasprit Bumrah being rested. But Kuldeep was left out again.

India's Spin Combo Under Scrutiny

India chose two spinners for this match: Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. However, Ganguly feels they may not be the best options available.

Speaking on Sony Sports Network during the Tea break on Day 1, Ganguly said,

"I am not sure whether India are playing their two best spinners. England have fielded first, I am surprised with that. I think this is India's best possible chance at the moment. Put runs on the board and hopefully it works out."

He added that with England choosing to bowl first, India had a great chance to post a big total, which they needed to make count.

Sunil Gavaskar Also Baffled by Kuldeep's Absence

Legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar also expressed surprise at Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion. He pointed out that the pitch in Birmingham offered some spin, which would have suited Kuldeep’s bowling style.

"I'm a little baffled that Kuldeep wasn't picked, because on a pitch like this, where everybody says there's a little more turn," Gavaskar said.

He also questioned the logic behind strengthening the batting lineup when India’s real problem in the first Test was the bowling attack.

"If your top-order batters are not giving you the runs you expect, then Washington at seven or Nitish Reddy at eight won't necessarily fix that, because those weren't the batters who failed you in the first Test. You scored 830 runs. You didn't score 380 in two innings — it was 830-plus. That's a lot of runs. So, where you needed strengthening was in the wicket-taking department, not so much in the batting,"  he added.

Shubman Gill Leads India’s Fightback

Despite the team selection debates, India had a strong first day in the second Test. Shubman Gill led from the front with a patient and confident century. He scored 114* off 199 balls, his slowest Test hundred, but also his most composed.

Gill and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (who scored 87) gave India a solid platform. By the end of Day 1, India were 310/5 with Ravindra Jadeja still unbeaten on 41. The team will now look to avoid the collapse that cost them the match in the first Test.