India is considering significant changes to its playing XI for the second Test against England at Birmingham, with the pitch and weather conditions pointing towards the inclusion of two spinners. Following a high-scoring draw in Leeds, where the pitch offered little to the bowlers, the focus has now shifted to the dry and patchy Edgbaston wicket.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that the team is seriously weighing up the option of including both Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar or a combination that strengthens the spin department without compromising batting depth.

“There is a very strong chance of playing two spinners,” said Doeschate. “It’s just which two we play. That comes down to how we balance the batting. All three spinners are bowling nicely, and Washi is batting very well. So we have to decide whether to go with an all-rounder spinner or a specialist spinner.”

The pitch at Edgbaston currently has around 11–12 mm of grass, but underneath, it’s dry—conditions favorable for spin. However, rain is expected on the opening day of the Test on Wednesday, adding another layer of complexity to the decision-making process.

India went with only one spinner in the series-opener, a move that did not pay off. With a clearer understanding of English summer conditions and the opposition, India is likely to make strategic adjustments for the upcoming clash.

In addition to the spin combination, another major talking point is the choice between Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the fourth seamer/all-rounder slot. Shardul, picked for his bowling credentials at Leeds, failed to impress with both bat and ball. Nitish, who had a breakout tour in Australia, is being considered for his batting prowess.

“He’s very close to getting a game,” said Doeschate on Nitish. “We thought Shardul had the edge in bowling last time, but now we’re looking at how to rejig the puzzle and bring in a batting all-rounder. Nitish is our premium batting all-rounder right now, and I’d say there’s a very good chance he plays this Test.”

The final playing XI is expected to be announced on match day morning, with plenty riding on the toss and updated weather conditions. However, it is evident that India is aiming for a more balanced and aggressive approach in the second Test, with a keen eye on exploiting pitch conditions and rectifying strategic missteps from the first match.