Virat Kohli hints inclusion of second spinner in Lord's Test

Speaking about the dryness in the wicket, the Indian skipper stated that the inclusion of the second spinner is still under consideration

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has indicated that the team management might include two spinners in the playing XI for the second Test against at Lord’s on Thursday.

A day ahead of the game, captain Kohli attended a press conference where he described the pitch conditions at the Lord's. Speaking about the dryness in the wicket, the Indian skipper stated that the inclusion of the second spinner is still under consideration. He said,

 “I think it’s an all-round wicket. If the batsmen well they can get runs. Seamers are obviously going to play the Duke’s ball under the overcast conditions. And when the wicket wears off, the spinners come into the play as well. So yeah, attempting thought to field two spinners. But again, we have to take the call depending on the team balance. But it’s [taking two spinners] definitely in contention.”

Tempted to play two spinners for the 2nd Test? Captain @imVkohli shares his views #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/OMTeBxNwKx

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 8, 2018

As per several reports, two days prior to the 2nd face-off, a healthy amount of grass was spotted on the Lord’s track. The groundsmen are expected to shave them off. Even if they don’t do so, the dryness remains as it is.

In that case, the conditions might make the Indian team management to go with two spinners in the side. However, it will be interesting to see that who among Jadeja and Kuldeep gets the chance to accompany Ashwin in the second test.

After four years, team India is all set to play a Test match against England at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in London. In the 2014 tour of England, India won the only game in the 5-match series at this venue, defeating the Alastair Cook led side by 99 runs.

“I feel as a team, we are just about there. It’s not like that we are getting rolled over or dominated. Any Test match that we play is comparative and that’s something that people are overlooking very easily. When the results come out, they realise... Oh the team is very competitive,” said Kohli.

Time for the Lord's Test and #TeamIndia captain @imVkohli feels a positive result is just around the corner #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/HzjXupZ0fS

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 8, 2018

“We definitely in a zone where we are very positive and we understand that if we tweak a few things here and there then we should be on the right side of the result,” he added.