Gargi Raut at Edgbaston
The five-match India versus England Test series started off on an unfortunate note for the Indian team. Even after having five centurions, the hosts powered through to win the Test in the last session of Day 5. One of the reasons for India’s loss in the first Test match, including indisciplined bowling and the inability to break crucial partnerships, was the volume of dropped catches. One of the repeat offenders was Yashasvi Jaiswal who dropped a total of 3 catches in the five days of action.
After the end of the first Test match it was reported on RevSportz that while the management will work on Jaiswal’s catching, Sai Sudarshan is a backup option for Jaiswal in the slips. As the caravan moved to Birmingham and the Indian team stepped out for the final full-tilt practice session on Match-day -2, it was eminently clear that Jaiswal would no longer be fielding in his usual gully position.
The team started off the practice session with an intense 20-25 minute ground fielding session, following which the team was divided in groups. One group consisted of the wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Sudarshan and Nitish Kumar Reddy. While the other group had Jasiwal and Dhruv Jurel. The “new” slip cordon in this particular practice session had Nair, KL Rahul, Gill, Sudarshan and Nitish taking their positions in the slips respectively. While Jaiswal was practicing taking leg slip catches.
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🚨Update: Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped from slip cordon?
After repeated errors in the first Test, India tests a new slip setup in practice. @gargiraut15 reports from Edgbaston.#INDvsENG #YashasviJaiswal #SaiSudharsan #TeamIndia #Edgbaston #RevSportz @Wowmomo4u pic.twitter.com/4wl0ctAVwO
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 1, 2025
While it is clear that Jaiswal will no longer be in the slip cordon, a larger question arises. If Karun, Sudharsan and Nitish were all practicing in the slips, what are the possible changes that we are looking at? Nitish could be replacing Shardul Thakur, while some changes in the bowling lineup are also being considered.
Jasprit Bumrah will sit this Test out and Akashdeep Singh could very well be the replacement for the premier bowler. On the other hand, as suggested by Ryan Ten Doeschate, Washington Sundar is batting really well in the nets and his inclusion in the team has not been ruled out.
The question here is—in Birmingham’s heat, as the sun beats down, will India go in with two spinners – Washington and Ravindra Jadeja, or will Kuldeep Yadav find a place? Will we see a pace attack consisting of Mohammad Siraj and Akashdeep Singh supported by Nitish? At this point, it is clear that we are going to see multiple changes in the lineup, but which of the players will be left out?
Also Read: India mull four changes for Edgbaston Test