India have gone with three spinners as compared to England’s four spin-attack on a Visakhapatnam track that helps slow bowlers.
Visakhapatnam: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri questioned team management’s tactics with the decision to pick Mukesh Kumar over spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar in the second Test against England. On a pitch, that assists the slow bowlers, India went with three spinners and two pacers as compared to the visitor’s move of going with four spinners and a lone fast bowler.
The slow nature of the pitch was on display on the opening day itself. Opting to bat first, baring Yashasvi Jaiswal, none of the Indian batters was able to handle the England spinners. In the absence of Jack Leach, the trio of Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley and debutant Shoaib Bashir took five wickets out of six that fell on Day 1. Only one wicket went to pacer James Anderson.
“My only concern is picking Mukesh Kumar over Washington Sundar. How much of use will Mukesh be, especially after India is batting first on this Vizag surface,” Shastri said on air during Day 1 of the second Test at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
Earlier, Jaiswal stood tall with a majestic 179 not out as India finished at 336/6 at the end of day’s play.