'Spoke to players who were part of 2018 series': Shubman Gill reveals strategy behind playing two spinners in Edgbaston Test

India captain Shubman Gill has opened up about his bowling strategy ahead of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Gill said India are going to play an extra spinner just to exploit patches in the surface during the 40 to 60-over phase of an innings rather than an extra fast bowler.

Why India are playing two spinners?

Gill explained that the ball becomes softer after around 40 overs, making it harder for pacers to create pressure against batters. He said that having a spinner could help control the game better in that middle phase. “I have spoken to some of the players who were part of the 2018-19 series and they said the balls were slightly different in that series,” Gill was quoted as saying by PTI.

“Usually we don’t see two spinners in England but given the conditions in Leeds we thought having an extra spinner would have been good. I think on these conditions having a second spinner will be helpful. If the conditions are same, having a second spinner would be good,” Gill said.

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“In the previous match, if we had had an extra spinner in the fourth innings, the game could have been better,” Gill said, referring to the five-wicket defeat in Leeds last week. There were some patches in the wicket that could have been exploited. Whenever Jaddu [Ravindra Jadeja] bhai was bowling, chances were being created,” he added.

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“We also feel that it is easier for spinners to contain runs than fast bowlers, especially when the ball gets old. If you don’t take wickets, it becomes very difficult. We bowled well but dropped a few catches too. It’s not easy when you are constantly dropping catches,” Gill said.

Captain Shubman Gill teases a tactical shift 👀
India may go with two spinners in the 2nd Test — with the second spinner expected to support the pace attack.

A fresh twist in the team combo as India eye a 1-1 comeback! 🇮🇳
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India are going to take the final call on which spinner to play after seeing the pitch today. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar are available for selection, as suggested by India’s assistant coach a day before. Gill also reiterated the same point in the press conference on the eve of the second Test on Tuesday.

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Team India took part in their final practice session on 1 July, where Gill spoke to the media. The Indian skipper also revealed that Jasprit Bumrah is available for selection but his inclusion will be decided right before the match, after looking at the conditions.