Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri was not convinced with Rohit Sharma's decision to include Mukesh Kumar in the playing XI instead of Washington Sundar for the second Test match against England in Visakhapatnam.
In the ongoing 2nd Test, the visitors chose to include 4 spinners in their playing XI including Joe Root whereas Rohit Sharma opted to play three spinners in the match.
Ravi Shastri feels that all-rounder Washington Sundar who was drafted into the 2nd Test squad alongside Sarfaraz Khan and Sourabh Kumar, would have been a better option than Mukesh Kumar. Shastri reasoned that the surface and conditions at Vizag are more favourable for spinners and claimed that India might have to pay the price for this selection.
“My only concern is picking Mukesh Kumar over Washington Sundar. How much of use will Mukesh be, especially after India is batting first on this Vizag surface,” Ravi Shastri said during commentary.
The inclusion of Washington Sundar would not only have given another spin bowling option but also bolstered India's batting depth.
Team India ends day 1 on 336 for 6
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in sublime form as he scored his second Test hundred. Not only did he score 179 not out, but also ensured that he held the innings together when the wickets were crumbling from the other end. It was largely due to his efforts, that Team India managed to reach 336/6 at the end of the day’s play.
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