ENG vs IND: Sanjay Bangar Advocates For Gully Specialist For Team India Ahead of Edgbaston Test

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Birmingham, July 2: As Team India gears up for the crucial second Test against England at Edgbaston following their five-wicket loss in Leeds, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has issued a firm reminder of the importance of fielding and bowling discipline.

Speaking on "Follow The Blues" on JioHotstar, Bangar dissected India's shortcomings in the first Test and pointed out that dropped catches - especially at the gully - and lack of bowling bite were major contributors to the defeat.

India's loss at Headingley was marred by fielding lapses, including a couple of costly dropped catches by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was positioned in the gully - a spot Bangar believes requires specialisation.

"Gully is a very, very specialised position," Bangar said. "India needs to invest in a player who can master the art of catching in that area. It should go to your best catcher, not just a makeshift option. We've seen players like Anil Kumble and Ajinkya Rahane own that position. Now, it's high time India thinks seriously about putting a specialist there."

Bangar's comments come amid speculation that India might tweak their playing XI for the second Test, with changes likely both in the bowling unit and potentially in the fielding setup.

On Bowling: "Play a Proper Bowler, Not a Part-Timer"

While India's batters did the job in the first innings - scoring a healthy total of over 470 runs - the bowling attack failed to defend it, especially in the fourth innings. Bangar stressed that India's chances in the second Test hinge on strengthening the bowling unit, particularly if Jasprit Bumrah isn't fully fit.

"If Bumrah isn't available, the team should bring in a specialist bowler. There's no point including a part-timer to extend batting depth at No. 8," he said. "The focus should be on having enough firepower to take 20 wickets. That's what wins Test matches."

This assessment comes as India's team management deliberates over potential replacements and the right bowling combination to counter England's aggressive style of play.

Karun Nair's Has A "Critical Role at No. 6"

With Karun Nair making his Test comeback after a prolonged hiatus, Bangar backed the senior batter to grow into his role and contribute significantly in the middle order. The Karnataka batter scored a few runs in the second innings at Leeds, and Bangar believes those will give him confidence heading into the second Test.

"Even though the runs in the second innings were few, they'll bode well for Karun. His role at No. 6 becomes crucial, especially if India opts for a bowling-heavy setup. He will need to hold the innings together and build partnerships with the lower order," Bangar noted.

With India facing the possibility of going 0-2 down in the five-match series, the pressure is on Rohit Sharma and his team to respond strongly at Edgbaston. Fielding efficiency, bowling depth, and middle-order stability are likely to be the defining factors.