Chris Woakes or Moeen Ali could step in for the second Test while the tourists, whose bowlers contributed hugely to the drama at Edgbaston, may opt for a second spinner
The excitement of both sides at the prospect of a Lord’s Test with the sun shining and the stands bursting will be tempered with apprehension. The concerns of India will be greater if only because they are 1-0 down after a match at Edgbaston that could have gone either way. After such games the victors are exponentially boosted, the losers battered.
In Birmingham, India bowled well and their captain, Virat Kohli, batted sublimely but that was not enough to win. They desperately need runs from another source and for the second Test at Lord’s they may tinker with their side accordingly. The adhesive reputation of Cheteshwar Pujara has been enhanced in his absence and he may well be recalled. India will also consider a second spinner. Ravi Jadeja would seem the obvious choice but somehow his talents abroad seem to be more highly rated by Englishmen than Indians. Kuldeep Yadav, the left-handed wrist-spinner, is the bold alternative to Jadeja.
Written by Vic Marks at Lord’s
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/aug/08/england-all-round-dilemma-lords-india-second-test under the title “England face all-round dilemma at Lord’s but India may try positive spin | Vic Marks”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
