India set to make some shocking changes for upcoming ENG vs IND 2nd Test

India are likely to make a few changes for the second Test against England at Edgbaston after their defeat in the series opener. While Jasprit Bumrah's potential rest was a big talking point, much of the attention during Monday’s net session revolved around younger players getting more involved—especially Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate’s comments added more weight to the speculation, offering subtle but significant hints about India’s possible playing XI for the crucial match starting Wednesday.

There was particular intrigue around Nitish Reddy’s role. A whiteboard at the nets reportedly had his name at the top, slotted as a frontline option alongside key batters. Reddy was also seen fielding in the slip cordon with senior batters and bowling later in the nets. Shardul Thakur, on the other hand, had a quieter session—a possible sign that he might be left out. Doeschate hinted that Reddy was now close to making his Test debut, especially as India looked to bolster their lower-order batting after two collapses in the first Test.

Washington Sundar was another name that drew attention. He bowled for a significant period with Jadeja and Kuldeep, facing top-order batters in the process. But more notably, he had an extended and intense batting session afterward, suggesting India is considering his all-round value. The assistant coach confirmed that two spinners would likely play, but the final combination remained undecided.

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On Nitish Reddy’s chances, Ryan ten Doeschate said:
“Nitish is very close to getting a game. Obviously, he was fantastic in Australia. Coming into the team and playing the way he did. We just felt, on balance, for the last game, we wanted to go with the bowling all-rounder, which we thought Shardul was slightly ahead on the bowling front. We’re looking at ways of rejigging the puzzle so we can get a batting all-rounder in. And obviously, Nitish is our premium batting all-rounder at the moment. So I would say it’s a very good chance to play this Test.”

On Washington Sundar, he added:
“There is a very strong chance of playing two spinners. It’s just which two we play. All three spinners are bowling very nicely, while Washy is batting very nicely. So it is just about what combination. Do we go with an all-rounder spinner or a spinner? Then obviously you have to play the bowling all-rounder. So there are so many different variables. The wicket’s got 11mm grass on the pitch at the moment, but it is quite dry underneath, and there’s also rain forecast for Wednesday. So again, we are trying to weigh the two options attacking-wise. But I’m pretty sure two spinners will play in this Test match.”

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Regarding Jasprit Bumrah, ten Doeschate clarified that while the pacer was available, a decision hadn’t yet been made.
“Technically he’s available, but we haven’t made a decision whether he’s going to play or not. Given conditions and workload and how we think we can best manage the next 4 Tests, we haven’t made a call on that. If we feel there’s value in playing him in this Test, we’ll make that call at the very last minute. Depending on the weather and how the pitch is going to play, we will decide if it is better off holding him back for Lord’s, Manchester, or the Oval. We feel we can go 1-1 or keep the score at 1-0 without Jasprit. And then again, that’s putting the eggs in the basket for the end of the series. We’re going to need them at some stage as well. You’ve got to decide when you’re going to play your strongest suits. And that’s what I was talking about, about the weather and all that.”

Lastly, on Kuldeep Yadav, he said:
“We’re desperate. It would have been nice to have spin in the last game. Also, we’re trying to make the best assessment of what we see in front of us. So we know we’re going to need three seamers in this game. And it’s just how you manage No. 6, 7, and 8 in batting. And we need to see whether we can fit Kuldeep in now or save him for later in the series. If the weather stays like I said, it should turn somewhere along the line.”