England v India Test: Analysis of the spin combinations India can look into at Lord's

Ajit Vijaykumar 20:05 08/08/2018
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  • Ashwin and Kuldeep are two of the spin options for India.

    India will have a lot to think about as they look to bounce back in the second Test against England at Lord’s.

    While they came within 31 runs of winning the first Test, Virat Kohli and Co will admit they slipped in key areas. Also, if Kohli’s catches had been held in the first innings, the Indians would have lost the Test emphatically.

    In hindsight, India made a mistake in fielding just one spinner as Ravi Ashwin picked up seven wickets in the Test and all-rounder Hardik Pandya barely got to bowl even on a spicy pitch.

    With the Lord’s ground expected to offer help to the slower bowlers, India are almost certain to go in with two spinners.

    But which two spinners? Here we take a look at what spin combinations India can try at Lord’s.

    RAVI ASHWIN & KULDEEP YADAV

    Advantage: The best attacking option on paper. Off-spinner Ashwin was brilliant in Birmingham, getting the ball to dip and turn as he troubled all England batsmen. His control was excellent and for the first time in his career, he made a sustained impact in a Test outside Asia against a top team. If he gets the attacking support of Kuldeep from the other end, India can squeeze the life out of England’s batsmen once the ball gets old.

    Disadvantage: Kuldeep was played out fairly comfortably by the English batsmen in the limited overs series once they decided to. Joe Root looked increasingly comfortable against the left-arm spinner and there is a fear that if batsmen aren’t going after him, Kuldeep might struggle to make things happen.

    RAVI ASHWIN & RAVINDRA JADEJA

    Ravindra Jadeja.

    Ravindra Jadeja.

    Advantage: Experience. The veteran spinners have played a major role in taking India to the No1 rankings in Tests. They offer control with the ball and can bowl at one spot throughout the day and if the pitch breaks up, the two can be lethal. Also both offer the possibility of handy lower order runs, which the Indian team is desperate for.

    Disadvantage: Too similar. Both are finger spinners and can become predictable, to an extent, if the batsmen get their eye in. Also, India will be wary of fielding two finger spinners outside Asia, no matter how dry the pitch might be.

    RAVINDRA JADEJA & KULDEEP YADAV

    Advantage: Yes, it’s the most unlikely of combinations, especially after Ashwin picked up seven wickets in Birmingham. But it brings in a unique challenge as both are completely different left-arm spinners. While Jadeja pegs away at one line over after over, Kuldeep can be more adventurous and try to steal a few wickets from the other end.

    Disadvantage: Uncertainty. Having two spinners who didn’t play the previous Test will be a huge risk. It’s unlikely to see this combination but if wickets continue to help spinners in the series and Ashwin somehow fails to live up to expectations, it can be looked into.

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