Will the starry middle order pull its weight?

India Wait On Famed Trio To Deliver; Day 1 Washed Out

- Partha Bhaduri

The first day’s play in the ‘Ulti-mate Test’ was a complete washout in Southampton as expected, leaving the Indian cricketers to play darts and table tennis and keep an eye on the Indian women fighting it out in Bristol.

They would have also had more time to contemplate their playing XI, which they have already announced but are, of course, still at liberty to change before the toss.

The reserve day for the WTC Final kicks in now and the prospects of a full Test haven’t dimmed. However, overcast conditions are expected in what is likely to be a stop-start Test, meaning a Dukes ball in the hand of a Kiwi pacer could prove to be a deadly, swinging weapon.

Will India’s decision to go in with five specialist batsmen, followed by Rishabh Pant and a five-man bowling attack comprising two spinning allrounders, prove wise? India now have two options if they change: bring in an extra batsman to cushion an out-of-form middle order, or sacrifice a spinning allrounder for a pacer.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar said on air, “India can make some changes if they want to.”