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India got handed a five-wicket defeat by England in the first Test of the five-match series which was held at Headingley. Despite a terrific display with the bat in both of their innings, it was the bowling and the fielding department that costed the Men in Blue as the hosts took a 1-0 lead.
Ahead of the second Test that is set to be contested at Edgbaston from July 2, legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has advised Shubman Gill & Co. to take the next couple of days off, but has also reminded them to return to practice after that. Gavaskar is also not a very big fan of the 'optional practice' and wants the team to leave it aside.
Gavaskar doesn't want India to participate in 'optional practice'
"Next couple of days you can take off, but now seriously get into practice. Leave this optional practice aside. You have come here to play for India. So, you practice in a way so that you will give yourself the best (chance)," Gavaskar said on Sony Sports.
"I mean Cheteshwar Pujara has been part of the optional team. I know when he opted to bat there have been people who have said, 'What are your doing?' including the coaching staff. I have seen some of the coaching staff, not this one, Cheteshwar was not part of this team, they said, 'Can't you have a break or something?'" he added.
Gavaskar further suggested that India should bring in Kuldeep Yadav into the playing XI for the second Test as a replacement for Shardul Thakur. He stated that the pitch in Birmingham will provide some help for the wrist spinners and thus, it is important that the left-arm spinner plays.
"Whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit or not, I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come into the team. I do believe that he should come into the team for Shardul Thakur because the Birmingham pitch will be one where there will be just a little bit of help for the wrist spinner," Gavaskar told the broadcasters.
He also stated that if India's fortunes do not change in the second Test then either Sai Sudharsan or Karun Nair can be dropped from the playing XI and one of the players who can come in is all-rounder Washington Sundar.
"If things don't go well in the second test, maybe Sai (Sudharsan) and Karun (Nair). I don't want to drop them at the moment. Then I'd also look at Washington (Sundar), so that it really gives you a more solid batting, and also get a little more variety as far the bowling is concerned," Gavaskar added.
It will be interesting to see what changes will Gautam Gambhir & Co. make to India's playing XI for the second Test against England. The Men in Blue will be desperate for a victory at Edgbaston so that they can level the series at 1-1. While on the other hand, England will be looking to increase the deficit further with a win and make it a mountain task for the visitors to get back into the series.
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