Always tempted to play Kuldeep but you need batting depth on flat tracks, says Shubman Gill

India skipper Shubman Gill has opened up on why the team picked Washington Sundar ahead of in-form pacer Kuldeep Yadav for the recently finished Edgbaston Test against England.

While there was charm in Kuldeep's ability to deliver wickets, the team preferred Sundar to add depth to the batting line-up after fears of lower-order collapses at Leeds.

"It's very tempting when you have a bowler like Kuldeep," Gill conceded after India tied the series with a comprehensive victory. "One of the reasons why I wanted to play Washington was because he gives us the batting depth."

Sundar, an off-spinner and left-handed batter, was useful in both departments with contributions made, meriting his inclusion. Gill also noted the significance of his own alliance with Sundar in the game, highlighting its critical role in establishing an important lead.

"If there had been no partnership, then I feel our lead would have been 70-80-90 runs, which is very psychologically different from a 180-run lead," he said.

Spinners Offer Control on Unresponsive Tracks
Gill explained the side's tactic in the second innings, especially their decision to depend on spin. As the Dukes ball lost bite towards the end of the innings, bowlers with spin like Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja provided more control than the pace bowlers, especially on Edgbaston's slow pitch.

"Even on the fifth day, the ball wasn't doing much from the center. It was largely revolving from the rough," Gill added. "At times, on flat tracks, spinners provide more control compared to fast bowlers. That was our approach."

With minimal assistance from the ball or pitch, maintaining control of the run flow was a key tactic, particularly in anticipation of the second new ball. According to Gill, the team wanted to dry up the runs so as to exert pressure on the batters.

"When the ball gets soft and the wicket is flat, our priority is to stop runs. Because when we receive the second new ball, it is easy to get wickets," he clarified.

Gill also reflected on a calculated risk he took in England’s first innings, when the hosts were struggling at 83 for 5. Opting for short-pitched bowling to force a breakthrough, the plan backfired, and England clawed back some momentum.

"I wanted to play the additional risk… Had we got one more wicket there, their tailenders would have been in trouble," Gill clarified. "We conceded some runs, but we were too far ahead in the game that I could risk taking that gamble."

Historic Win and Series Outlook
Prompted to recall India's losing streak at Edgbaston for the last 50+ years, Gill dismissed the past.

"I don't believe much in stats or history," he expressed confidently. "Different teams played those games in those 50-60 years. I think this is the strongest Indian team to have arrived here. We can beat them and win this series. The momentum is on our side."

India's 336-run win at Edgbaston is a turning point in the current series, and the side will take the same strategy to the subsequent match at Lord's.

Test Preparation Started in IPL
Gill, who has played in spectacular form—scoring 585 runs from four innings—explained how his preparation for the red-ball game started right before the IPL concluded. His shot selection and footwork have been widely praised.

"I began working on my Test game towards the last part of the IPL," Gill disclosed. "People's speech about a player's technique shifts after each series, each match. As cricketers, we don't pay attention to that noise."

He continued, "If I get out to a good ball, that's fine. But if I'm around, I want to remain and bat for as long as I can."

With his self-belief soaring and his bat doing the rest, Gill wants to ride this purple patch and guide India towards a series triumph in England.