Sports News: Indian captain Shubman Gill hinted towards playing two spinners in the Edgbaston test. In a press conference ahead of the second test match, Gill was asked about the possible combination and if an extra spinner can play. India is already trailing in this series by 0-1 and would want to create an impact with their bowling, which certainly disappointed in the last game. The second test of the tour will begin on Wednesday in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
An extra spinner in the playing 11?
Gill was confident about the combination he wanted for the next test. He said that the combination should be able to take 20 wickets and put a good score on the board as well. When asked about playing two spinners, Gill said that having an extra spinner always helps. “In the previous match, if we had had an extra spinner in the fourth innings, the game could have been better.” Reflecting on the defeat in Leeds, Gill said, “There were some patches in the wicket that could have been exploited. Whenever Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) Bhai was bowling, chances were being created.
Why two spinners?
Gill mentioned that the Dukes ball, which is used in England during the test matches, tends to soften a bit after 40 overs. “We also feel that it is easier for spinners to contain runs than fast bowlers, especially when the ball gets old. If you don’t take wickets, it becomes very difficult. We bowled well but dropped a few catches too. It’s not easy when you are constantly dropping catches,” said Gill.
Possible team combination
India certainly lost the first test due to a poor bowling performance. The hosts chased down 371 runs on the last day. Gill said that having the batting till no. 7 or no. 8 is enough if batting conditions are friendly. “I guess you would want batting depth until No. 7…and if your No. 8 can bat a little bit. If you are going till No. 9, it is difficult to take 20 wickets. If we are able to go with four or five premier bowlers and have our batting till No. 7 or 8, it would be a good combination,” said Gill in the press conference.
