Delhi Test- no change in India’s playing 11:IND bowling coach confirms another chance to Sudharsan, Nitish; pitch favours spinners

Team India’s bowling coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the playing-11 will not be changed in the Delhi Test. He also confirmed Sai Sudharsan will not be dropped and will get another opportunity. Stating on Delhi stadium’s pitch report, there is less possibility of fast bowlers getting help here. The second Test between India and the West Indies will be played from October 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. India had won the first Test in Ahmedabad by an innings and 140 runs. ‘Too early to say on the pitch’- India bowling coach on Delhi stadium Doeschate said, “I think it’s a little bit too early to say on the pitch, but today this side in particular looks very dry and it’s very patchy. So, we don’t think it’s going to be a wicket that necessarily helps the seam bowlers. I don’t think that’s a big surprise in Delhi.” India’s playing 11 stays unchanged for 2nd Test vs West Indies The bowling coach further said, ‘We’re unlikely to change the combination. One of the objectives, one of the sort of medium-term objectives, is to develop a seam-bowling all-rounder for India. It’s very important when we go away on tours that we have that position covered.” “I think the biggest sort of limitation to what his ceiling could be is going to be his body. He’s not the first all-rounder we’ve seen in this country. That applies to, let’s be perfectly honest, Hardik is the same sort of character of a player where we don’t doubt their skills at all. But for their bodies to hold up to play Test cricket is a different matter. Nitish has shown everyone in Australia just how good he is as a batter.” Dhruv can also handle the number 3 position The bowling coach further said, “I think Dhruv Jurel, last week, he’s got a good play as we’ve known that all along. And in addition to that, there are other good players who are fighting for top three or top four spots. Obviously, Shubman’s got four now down, but Sai’s aware of that.” “That’s part and parcel of it, and we know Sai’s tough enough to deal with that. Like I say, he’s just got to go out there now and score the runs we think he’s worthy of getting.. If he doesn’t perform well, then the management will definitely think about fitting Jurel at number 3.’ ‘Sai needs to focus’- India coach’s advice to Sudharsan Ryan further said, ‘There is a lot of competition for every spot in Team India. Karun Nair was initially given opportunities for the number 3 position, but he couldn’t perform well in England, so now Sai (Sudharsan) is being given opportunities. Sai just needs to focus and believe in himself. The management is showing faith in him. In the first Test, he played a forward delivery on the back foot. Such mistakes happen, but Sai’s technique doesn’t have too many flaws. We want to prepare him for the future by giving him opportunities.’ Sammy says Windies lack confidence West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said, ‘Things are not going well for us, and a lack of confidence among the players is clearly visible. This is something that varies from player to player. My focus is now more on strengthening the players’ mindset. Many legendary players have played for West Indies. So I will be criticized for every performance of the team. I don’t think the team’s problems started two years ago. Poor performance is spreading like cancer in our system. We want to change, for now, I am just focusing on improving the players’ mindset.’