Team India had a disappointing start to international cricket at home, after its comeback after November 2019 as they lost to the visiting England side by a whopping margin of 227 runs. Chasing an enormous target of 420 runs in the final innings, India folded for just 192 as apart from skipper Virat Kohli, none of the other batsmen could offer any resistance.
However, even though the experienced hands disappointed in the first match, the positives for India came in form of the youngsters. Opening batsman Shubman Gill, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant and the all-rounder Washington Sundar came good in the game in their respective departments showing the consistency in the longest format, that the team is expecting from at this level.
Former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar while talking to the host broadcaster Star Sports suggested that one of the youngsters, who was touted to be dropped after the first Test because of the team combination by many, could keep his place and 'won't be that change', that the team is looking to make for the second game at the same venue in Chennai.
"What we heard at the press conference, there could be possible just one change. I can’t see too many changes happening because ‘too many changes’ is a sign of panic. And there is no need to panic,” Gavaskar said.
“This is a very good team. This team was outplayed and it can happen. Yes, we talked about how the toss was important because you get to bat on good pitches which are much better than on the fourth and the fifth day. So, there could be just one change but Washington Sundar is not going to be that change."
Gavaskar, while pointing out Washington Sundar's bowling flaws said that the offie will get better with time and he has the best person in Ravichandran Ashwin alongside him to learn from. Sundar remained wicketless in the first Test as he bowled 27 overs in the match, giving away 99 runs (26 + 1).
"Because of the way he has batted. Maybe, he might get to bowl a little bit more. He’s is more a T20 type of a bowler because he bowls flat, flat, flat and doesn’t really give the ball much air as Ashwin does,” Gavaskar added.
But it’s something that he can always, in the company of Ashwin sitting and talking to him more -both are Chennai boys - learn and can get better at. So, he definitely will be there. Who goes out that, we’ll have to wait and see.”
With the rookie left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem failing to make an impact, the hosts might rejig their combination as they look to come back into the series.