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India are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination in the upcoming 2nd Test against West Indies that gets underway on October 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. India thrashed the visitors by an innings and 140 runs in the first Test in Ahmedabad to go 1-0 up in the two-match series. The hosts will aim to complete a 2-0 clean sweep in the 2nd Test in New Delhi.
Despite a 'dry and patch' pitch in Delhi, India have decided not to make any changes to their playing XI for the second Test, confirmed assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate. Explaining the decision, Doeschate said India want to develop Nitish Reddy as a seam-bowling all-rounder in Test cricket going forward and handing him game time is crucial to prepare him for overseas tours.
Reddy was part of the XI as India played three pacers, including him, on a pace-friendly wicket in the first Test in Ahmedabad. There were suggestions regarding the inclusion of Axar Patel in the XI, considering the dry conditions in Delhi. However, Doeschate explained why the Indian team is not keen on making any changes in the XI.
"I think it's a little bit too early to say on the pitch, but today this side in particular looks very dry and it's very patchy. So, we don't think it's going to be a wicket that necessarily helps the seam bowlers. I don't think that's a big surprise in Delhi. And I'd say we're unlikely to change the combination," Doeschate said at the pre-match press conference.
Doeschate said one of India's major objectives currently is to develop a pace all-rounder in Test cricket, and that they have identified Reddy for the role. The Indian team wants to give Reddy game time to develop himself and get ready for overseas tours. Thus, India don't want to tinker with their playing XI in the 2nd Test.
"One of the objectives, one of the sort of medium-term objectives, is to develop a seam-bowling all-rounder for India. It's very important when we go away on tours that we have that position covered. We didn't get a very good look at Nitish last week. So, I think it's actually a very good opportunity to give Nitish another go and not alter the balance of the team," said Doeschate.
With India set to back Reddy and unlikely to change their playing XI for the second Test against West Indies in New Delhi, the onus will be on the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to step up and make the most of the conditions. Both Jadeja and Kuldeep looked in good rhythm with the ball in the first Test in Ahmedabad.
While Jadeja picked up a four-wicket haul in West Indies' second innings to help India bundle out the visitors for a paltry 146, Kuldeep picked up two wickets apiece in both innings. The duo will hope to continue bowling in tandem and exploit the conditions together in the second Test in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, Reddy bowled only 4 overs in the West Indies' first innings in the Test series opener and didn't get a chance to bat after centuries from KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Jadeja in India's first innings. He also didn't get a chance to bowl in the 2nd innings, but was brilliant on the field, plucking a sensational catch to dismiss West Indies opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
