Rishabh Pant described India as unspecified on combination, the subtle signal team can opt for a spinner

There is just something about the Indian playing XIs. Somehow the team management keeps everyone guessing till the very last day, until the match starts, while just all somehow know, as to who’s going to play. But that’s how it is. On Wednesday, vice-captain Rishabh Pant maintained that level of secrecy in the press conference, maintaining, that the playing XI for the IND vs ENG Lord’s Test was not decided as yet.

Nonetheless, he was asked about the probable team combination, and he deflected that bouncer quite well too. “Options are still open, discussions still going on. Sometimes wicket changes colour in two days. We will take the call. Whether it will be 3+1 or 3+2.” If one was to dig deep into Pant’s statement — the team management isn’t really sure, if they want to play two spinners or 1.

Going further, totally on how the Lord’s pitch has behaved over the years, it shouldn’t be a tough call to take for skipper Shubman Gill. Spinners have been off colour in the series, and Lord’s anyways isn’t a happy-hunting ground for the team. So, in all likelihood, the team will go ahead with an extra batter, instead of Washington Sundar, who did contribute to India’s win at Edgbaston.

Ravindra Jadeja is likely to retain his spot as the lone spinner in the XI. While 2 wickets in 2 matches don’t give a lot of confidence, but he has been India’s trusted choice in SENA countries for his batting mostly. And with Jasprit Bumrah back in the fray, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj should just do the job for Team India.