ENG vs IND 2025: Shubman Gill hints at fielding two spinners at Edgbaston

India skipper Shubman Gill hinted at India fielding two spinners in the second Test of the ongoing five-match series against England. This implies to the wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav being included into the mix for the match at Edgbaston.

He reflected on the first game of the series and felt things might have panned out quite differently if Ravindra Jadeja would have had another spinner bowling along with him. Gill also pointed out that an additional spinner would have been helpful in containing the flow of runs.

“In the previous match, if we had had an extra spinner in the fourth innings, the game could have been better. There were some patches in the wicket that could have been exploited. Whenever Jaddu [Ravindra Jadeja] bhai was bowling, chances were being created. 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,” stated Gill.

He also commented on the ideal number of batters a side should possess to maximise its batting depth.

“I guess you would want batting depth till No. 7 and if your No. 8 can bat a little bit. If you are going till No. 9, it is difficult to take 20 wickets. If we are able to go with four or five premier bowlers and have our batting till No. 7 or 8, it would be a good combination,” he added.

Jadeja did not have the best of days with the ball in the series opener which India lost by five wickets. It was only the second time in his entire Test career that he secured only a single wicket across both innings after bowling 20-plus overs in each innings.

If at all Kuldeep accompanies him, the two would aim on putting pressure on the English batters from both ends and complement the pace bowlers’ efforts. There will be an added pressure on the Gill-led outfit coming into the second Test to draw the series level.