Gargi Raut in Leeds
Ahead of the high-octane first match of the five-Test series, one of the biggest debates going around is who will make it to India’s playing XI.
According to sources close to the development, there’s no conclusive answer to the Shardul Thakur versus Nitish Kumar Reddy debate yet and the final playing XI till the Indian team assesses exact conditions here at Leeds. They will check the pitch and only then will take a final call.
Whether they go with spin in the form of Kuldeep Yadav or Ravindra Jadeja, as a spin all rounder, or go with two seaming all-rounders, will all depend on their assessment of the pitch over the next two days. The first Test at Headingley starts on Friday.
India will practice on the morning of June 18 and afternoon on June 19. The final call regarding the playing XI will be taken at the end of the practice session on the match eve.