Former India cricket coach Ravi Shastri has called on the Indian team to maintain a positive approach as they prepare for the crucial second Test against England at Edgbaston, following their five-wicket defeat in the series opener at Headingley. The loss came despite India’s dominant performance through much of the first Test match of the ICC World Test Championship series, putting them in a must-win situation to keep their hopes alive in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.India face uncertainty regarding the availability of their pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, whose workload continues to be monitored carefully. The team management is also considering the addition of a second spinner to support Ravindra Jadeja in the upcoming match.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shastri emphasised the importance of India’s response to the defeat, highlighting the need for immediate action and resilience.“The most important thing for India is to throw the counter punch almost immediately,” Shastri told The ICC Review. “When you lose a Test match like this where you have dominated most of it and then you lose it on the last day with a big chase and full marks to England for keeping their composure and doing that, it will need a lot of character to come to the fore and to bounce back in the series.”
The former coach addressed the uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s participation while expressing hope for his inclusion in the crucial match.“Now, whether Bumrah plays or doesn’t play, one doesn’t know. But let’s hope he does because this is a very important Test match and all is not lost,” Shastri stated. “It’s just you take it one game at a time. It’s a five-match series and India will be hoping to bounce back.”
The series also marks Shubman Gill’s debut as captain, and Shastri reflected on the learning experience from the first Test match.“People say he was a little reactive and it can happen when you’re playing your first Test match (as captain) and especially in such good batting conditions with a fast outfield and things can happen in that way,” Shastri explained. “But he would have learnt a lot from that and will want to be a little more proactive when it comes now, which means the bowlers and the fielders will have to give him that support.”
“They have got to know what their role is and get out there and execute it,” he added.The team selection considerations continue as India prepare for the Edgbaston Test, with discussions ongoing about the potential inclusion of a second spinner alongside Ravindra Jadeja.The five-match Test series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy remains open, with India needing to win at Edgbaston to level the series and open their account in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.
