Ex-Indian cricket team wicket-keeper batter Deep Dasgupta recommended two changes in the playing XI for the second Test match against England to the team management. India should have Nitish Kumar Reddy instead of Sai Sudharsan and play Kuldeep Yadav at No. 8, as per Dasgupta.
Sudharsan debuted in the first Test match scoring 0 and 30 in the two innings. But Dasgupta feels Nitish will provide an alternative in the second Test match, and if the team management pushes Karun Nair up to No. 3 in the batting order, they can choose to leave out Sudharsan.
Deep Dasgupta Suggests Karun Nair at No. 3
“In general, you don’t want to make too many changes after the first game, but you have also got to think this is a very young side. It’s a new captain, newish side. So you have got to get the combination right. Karun Nair has got most of his runs at No. 3. Also, he batted for India A against the England Lions at No. 3,” the former India wicketkeeper-batter said on Star Sports.
“So you might want to look at Karun Nair at No. 3. That opens up a space for someone like Nitish at No. 6, who, if required, can give you a few overs of seam. I will have a chat with Sai Sudharsan and say this is not a reflection of what happened in the first Test, but this is a combination things. So that conversation becomes very, very important, how you put it across to someone like Sai,” he added.
Kuldeep Yadav at No. 8 Could Be a Game-Changer
Deep Dasgupta also mentioned that given the fact that Birmingham tends to produce batting-friendly wickets, having Kuldeep at No. 8 can prove to be a game-changer for India.
“Looking forward to Birmingham, which is usually a batting-friendly venue, I would love to see Kuldeep there. The advantage of having a top five amongst runs is that you are not too worried about contribution from your No. 8 with the bat,” he said.
