Coach are still unsure about whether to include three spinners in India’s playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh. According to assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, the decision will depend on the pitch and weather conditions on the day of the match. The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has prepared two pitches for the game, which begins on Thursday in Kanpur. During an optional training session, skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir inspected both pitches at Green Park Stadium. Rain is forecasted for the first and third days of the match. In the previous Test in Chennai, India played with two spinners and three pacers.
Possible Extra Spinner
If India decides to go with three spinners in Kanpur, the third one could either be Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav. When asked if Kuldeep would be selected, Nayar remained uncertain.
“To be honest, we still don’t know which pitch will be used. Both look good, and Kanpur is known for quality pitches, but I can’t say much about the bounce yet,” Nayar shared during a pre-match press conference.
“The weather and pitch conditions in the morning will be crucial in our decision-making. In Test cricket, conditions play a big role in how the pitch behaves,” he added. “It’s too early to predict anything about the pitch or conditions, but we’re hoping for a sunny day instead of an overcast Kanpur.” He also confirmed that all players are fit and ready for the match.
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KL Rahul’s Form and Gambhir’s Guidance
KL Rahul, despite having played 51 Test matches and scoring 2,901 runs at an average of 34.12, has yet to secure his place in the Test team. However, Nayar is hopeful that under Gautam Gambhir’s guidance, Rahul will turn things around.
“KL knows his game well. He played outstanding innings in South Africa. We’re hopeful that, with the combination of guidance from Gautam and myself, we’ll see a positive change in his performance,” Nayar said.
“These improvements take time, but we believe in him. Even in the last match, though he didn’t get many chances in the second innings, we are confident that his form will improve.“
Fielding and Fitness Emphasis
India’s fielding has been impressive, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s one-handed catch to dismiss Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan being a prime example. Nayar explained that the team’s improved fielding stems from a greater focus on fitness, which started during Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
“We haven’t made any special changes, but fitness awareness has greatly improved fielding standards. Whether it’s the IPL, domestic cricket, or international matches, we’ve seen a clear improvement,” Nayar said.
“Fielding is directly linked to fitness. The fitter you are, the more agile and quick you become on the field. Many players are putting in the work to be fitter, and that’s why the Indian team has become more agile.“
No Need for a Vice-Captain
India does not have a designated vice-captain for this series. Nayar explained that the team already has experienced leaders like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, so a vice-captain isn’t necessary.
“You have a lot of ideal captains in this team. The younger players have the mindset of senior players, and with leaders like Virat and Rohit in the dressing room, the learning process is much quicker,” Nayar said.
Handling Expectations
When asked if Bangladeshi spinners will have a bigger role compared to the previous match in Chennai, Nayar avoided making predictions.
“I’m not one for expectations,” he stated. “When the weather is unpredictable, you must be cautious. We don’t want to go in expecting the ball to turn too much or sink. We prefer to handle each situation as it comes.“
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