India vs England 2nd Test Day 2: Australian greats slam India’s ‘fixation on all-rounders’ after selection gamble

Going in without their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah into the second test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was one thing, but the decision to do that without the extra support of specialist batsmen was slammed by former Australian greats Tom Moody and Aaron Finch, as well as ex-England captain Nasser Hussain.

With Bumrah sitting out of the ongoing India vs England test at Edgbaston, all focus was on whom the team would select as his replacement. Many had speculated that India would take a gamble by having spinner Kuldeep Yadav and bringing in another pacer in Arshdeep Singh or Akash Deep.

Nasser Hussain and Tom Moody blast India's selection blunder

While the latter found a place in the team, the team management surprised many by dropping both Sai Sudharshan and Shardul Thakur and instead going with, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Both players have proved that they can bat overseas, but experts suggested that instead of picking all-rounders, India should have opted for a proper batsmen without Bumrah in the ranks.

Also read: India vs England 2nd Test Day 2: Where to watch Shubman Gill and team break free of the ‘gr8 Edgbaston naught'? 

Tom Moody tweeted that India’s selection for the test was “baffling”. This rings true, especially with Reddy, falling cheaply for 1 in his first test in England. “The fixation on all-rounders who are there to offer depth with bat and ball has never worked, Specialists are always going to offer more over a test,” he posted, on X.

Ex-England captain and commentator Nasser Hussain too expressed disappointment at India’s team for the test. “So, I don’t think there was any need to press the panic button as they have done, because they played good cricket,” he said, on Sky Sports. He also emphasised that the management had weakened the bowling attack further by trying to prioritise their batting depth, by adding all-rounders.

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch weighed in, on X, saying that he thought both Sai Sudharshan and Kuldeep Yadav were unfortunate to miss out this test. “At the very least, Kuldeep has to be in the XI if you’re worried about taking 20 wickets. Yes, he might be more expensive but he’s the next best attacking option (after Bumrah),” Finch tweeted.

Where to watch Ind vs Eng Day 2 test match on OTT

India would be looking to get themselves to 400 by lunch on Day 1, without the loss of too many wickets, and for that to happen - both Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja should continue their partnership, which was at 99 runs, at close of play on Day 1.

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