India vs England: Who will be the first-choice spinner in the India playing XI?

The new dawn of Indian Test cricket has already begun with the national selectors announcing Shubman Gill as the new leader for the longest format of the game. The right-handed batter will start his leadership era with a massive challenge on the cards as India will be touring England next month to play a five-match Test series starting with the England vs India 1st Test match scheduled to begin from June 20. After three stalwarts of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin having announced their respective Test retirements, the transitition has officially begun in the longer format and things will surely be quite challenging especially in the next six months. 

The Indian team will be traveling to England this time in the early summers where the the conditions will be quite challenging because the pitches will be fresh and the overhead climate will offer extra assistance to the fast bowlers. Although, India has named as many as three spinners in the 18-member Test squad for the ENG vs IND five-match Test series namely Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, however, only one spinner will get a place in the India playing XI. 

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has mentioned that left-arm legspinner Kuldeep Yadav should lead the spin bowling attack in the IND vs ENG Test series as he is a genuine wicket-taking bowler even in the English conditions. Also, senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the England Test series as the selection committee believes his fitness is still not up to the mark for the longer format of the game. 

“Kuldeep Yadav should be India’s frontline spinner for the first three Tests in England. With Ravichandran Ashwin unavailable and Mohammed Shami not in the lineup, India needs a wicket-taking bowler who can make an impact even in swing-friendly conditions," stated former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar. 

Over the years, India has preferred one of Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin as the lone spinner in the overseas condition because both of them also provide the extra cushion with their impressive batting skills. During the final Test match in Sydney in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19, Kuldeep Yadav picked up a stunning five-wicket haul, but he has not been in contention for Test cricket since then on a consistent basis. However, Bangar still believes that Kuldeep should play in England ahead of Jadeja. 

“Jadeja is usually preferred overseas for his control and ability to exploit rough patches, but England is unlikely to offer spin-friendly tracks early on. The series begins in June with matches at Headingley, Edgbaston, and Lord’s — all seam-friendly venues. With Nitish Reddy as a batting all-rounder and a pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep, India can afford to play just one spinner — and that should be Kuldeep," added Bangar.