Unlike many other experts, Monty Panesar believed that India had chosen the correct playing XI for the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The highly anticipated match began on Wednesday, July 2, in Edgbaston in Birmingham.
At the toss, Shubman Gill announced three changes to the squad that lost the first Test by five wickets at Headingley. Experts and fans slammed the Indian team management after Jasprit Bumrah was rested and Kuldeep Yadav was once again left out of the playing XI. Gill added that they wanted to add more depth to their batting lineup, hinting that Washington Sundar’s all-round qualities helped him earn the nod over Kuldeep.
Former cricketers such as Ravi Shastri, Michael Vaughan, Sunil Gavaskar, and many others have criticised India’s squad selection methods. Panesar, on the other hand, expressed trust in Gill and his team.
“I believe you should rest Jasprit Bumrah because I believe this pitch will turn, and I believe India has made the right decision in selecting two spinners.” And Edgbaston always turns. So, I believe they will rely on spin this time rather than pace,” Panesar said in an interview.
Playing Kuldeep Yadav is a little too dangerous. Monty Panesar
Panesar had batted for Kuldeep to replace either Ravindra Jadeja or Shardul Thakur at Edgbaston following India’s defeat in the first Test. However, the former England spinner reversed course and stated that India made the correct decision to bring in Sundar to offer depth to their batting, particularly following their collapse in the first Test.
“I think so, because I think what’s happening is that the batting is stronger, and also you have got Washington Sundar, who can be the attacking spinner. [Ravindra] Jadeja can be a bit more orthodox. I think playing Kuldeep Yadav is a bit too risky because the batting can collapse as well. India had a few big collapses so they need to make the batting a bit stronger. And I think they’ve got the bowling spot on, you know, they can take 20 wickets on this pitch,” Panesar opined.
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