India Eyes All-Rounder Shake-Up: Reddy & Sundar in Line for Edgbaston Test

India Mulls All-rounder Combination: Reddy and Sundar Poised for Edgbaston Test

Birmingham: The Indian cricket team is considering a strategic shift for the upcoming Edgbaston Test, potentially fielding both all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. This move, set to commence on Wednesday, suggests a possible alteration in the batting lineup, with India opting for three all-rounders in the lower-middle order.

Reddy, Gill, and Thakur during a practice session. Could Reddy be making his debut?

Team India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, alluded to the potential inclusion of Reddy and Washington, hinting at the team's eagerness to integrate a batting all-rounder.

"Nitish is very close to getting a game. Obviously, he was fantastic in Australia. Coming into the team and playing the way he did," said ten Doeschate on Reddy. He further elaborated on the team's strategy, saying, "We’re looking at ways of rejigging the puzzle so we can get a batting all-rounder in. And obviously, Nitish is our premium batting all-rounder at the moment. So I would say it’s a very good chance to play this Test."

Ten Doeschate also highlighted Washington's batting prowess, suggesting the possibility of playing two spinners to bolster both the bowling attack and batting depth.

"All three spinners are bowling very nicely, while Washi is batting very nicely. So it is just about what combination. Do we go with an all-rounder spinner or a spinner? Then obviously you have to play the bowling all-rounder. So there’s so many different variables."

With dry conditions and hot weather in Birmingham, India captain Shubman Gill confirmed the team's inclination towards fielding two spinners.

“In the previous match, if we had had an extra spinner in the fourth innings, the game could have been better,” Gill told reporters, emphasizing the potential benefits of exploiting favorable conditions.

Gill also emphasized the importance of batting depth, stating, "I guess you would want batting depth till 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."