Washington Sundar and Axar Patel feature in India's XI as spin all-rounders.
By bringing in Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube alongside three frontline pacers, captain Shubman Gill secured batting stability down to No. 8. However, this strategic shift has invited intense scrutiny from experts and former cricketers who worry that the team management is filtering out its most potent wicket-taking option.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also expressed surprise that Kuldeep was omitted from the playing XI, even though the surface was expected to spin and England's captain Harry Brook opted to bat first to capitalize on it.
Shastri argued that sacrificing an X-factor wicket-taker for extra batting cushion hurts India's chances of winning matches.
"Even I was a bit surprised because when I did the toss, and I heard Harry Brook say that he wants to bat first because he thinks it might spin later on, if he is saying that it might spin, then our wrist spinner can also turn the ball. If anyone spins the ball, it will be a wrist spinner," Shastri said while speaking on Sony Sports Network.
"Adil Rashid has given us trouble, aur Kuldeep ko toh khilaana hi hai, usko jitna game usko khila sakte ho, khilao usko (We have to play Kuldeep at all costs, give him as many games as possible), because in South Africa, he has got a good record, he will get some bounce there. The better his confidence gets, the better it will be for Team India. Now that Chahal is not there, they can play Kuldeep in the playing XI. How much batting depth do you want? Till No 9, No 10? Even that much depth won't help in a big chase," he added.
Coming to the match, England won the toss and opted the bat first in Birmingham ODI. Following a 61-run stand by the English openers, India's pace attack entirely dismantled their top and middle order to wrest back control of the match.
Gurnoor Brar broke the opening partnership by dismissing Jacob Bethell (14) and the dangerous Ben Duckett (43) within three deliveries in the 13th over. Jasprit Bumrah sent England captain Harry Brook back to the pavilion for just 1 run in the next over.
Prasidh Krishna further decimated the England batting lineup by dismissing Jos Buttler (5) and Sam Curran (0) in the 17th over, reducing the hosts to 107/6 in the 22nd over.
Liam Dawson and Joe Root then added 121 runs for the seventh wicket to bail England out of trouble. Axar Patel broke the stand by dismissing Dawson for 68, and wrapped up tail to bundle out the home team for 258 in 47.5 overs while Root remained unbeaten on 76.