India's Squad Plans for 2nd England Test Give Rise to Eyebrows as Specialists Question Brash Picks

India's second Test XI against England in Birmingham has created quite a stir among former cricketers and enthusiasts alike. Having lost the first Test by five wickets in Leeds India had to rebound to remain in contention for the five-match series. But rather than adhering to a traditional lineup the team administration made some shocking and daring decisions which have put most people on their heads. Perhaps the decision that has been most discussed was that of leaving out star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. In his stead India gave a chance to Akash Deep. Dropped from the team as well was Shardul Thakur who was replaced by young gun Nitish Kumar Reddy. One other unexpected inclusion was the name of Washington Sundar the spin-bowling all-rounder who replaced Sai Sudharsan who had made his debut in the last game at number three.

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody was among the harshest critics of India's choice for the second Test. He did not hold back his opinion and shared his puzzlement about the strategy of India. He cited how fielding just five specialist batsmen in a Test match is always a big gamble. In his opinion India's repeated attempt to increase depth on the batting and bowling fronts by playing all-rounders hasn't yielded good results in the past and will not be effective even now. He reminded one and all about how the same ploy was employed when India toured Australia when the team used three all-rounders in the last two matches of that tour and lost both. He termed the present selection gamble as avoidable and risky particularly in a match of such importance when India is trying to achieve parity in the series. Moody put his views on social media that the obsession with all-rounders providing balance with both bat and ball has never really done any good to the team in Tests where the specialists are usually the ones to make the true difference.

India's skipper Shubman Gill provided some context to the team's thinking at the toss. He clarified that Bumrah was rested not because of injury but as a strategy of managing his workload. With the third Test to be played at Lord's where conditions could suit fast bowlers even better the team has chosen to keep Bumrah fresh for the task. Gill also defended the use of all-rounders by citing the poor performance of the lower order in the first match. India fell in both innings and the failure of tailenders to contribute was a big issue. To address that they included more all-rounders expecting to lengthen the batting lineup and lower the possibilities of another collapse. Gill says Yadav was also considered but omitted for a deeper batting line-up.

This change in approach however has not gone down well with many experts and fans. Critics argue that while trying to solve one issue the team may have created another. By dropping Bumrah India has lost one of their most lethal and experienced bowlers. Akash Deep although talented lacks the experience and proven record at this level. In the same way, introducing Sundar in the place of Sudharsan has impacted the stability of the top order. Sai Sudharsan did well on debut and axing him after only one game is causing people to wonder about the distribution of opportunities. All these changes have led the team to look like an experimental team rather than a team attempting to win a crucial Test match in England.

The argument concerning the deployment of all-rounders is not new. Most former players are of the view that it is specialists who win you Test matches. A batter included for his batting alone or a bowler included for bowling alone is likely to be more consistent and more dependable than one attempting to do both. This is particularly so in circumstances such as England where the room for error is minimal and competition is stiff. As much as it is nice to have some leeway the overdependence on multi-talented players has the potential to boomerang particularly when they are still yet to test their mettle against tough conditions.

As things go on everyone will be waiting with bated breath to see how these choices pan out. If India wins this Test and the all-rounders deliver the team management will be lauded for making bold and timely decisions. But if things don't go their way and the same problems crop up again the criticism is only going to get more vociferous. India's target is to square the series but they will have to achieve that without some of their biggest guns and with a new combination yet to prove itself. The risk the selectors and team management have taken will either be celebrated as brilliant or foolhardy depending on the outcome.

In such a high-pressure series as this one, every call is significant. Relieving a player such as Bumrah or withdrawing a top-order batsman following one match is sending a very clear message on how the team is headed. Whether they are heading in the correct direction or not, time will tell. For the time being the Indian team has to have faith in their planning and support the players that they have selected. The fans will be wishing that these steps lead to victory and assist the team in battling back strongly in this all-important Test match.