Team India's Versatile Batting Line-Up Ahead of Second Test Against West Indies

India's Preparation for the Second Test

As the second Test against the West Indies approaches, set to take place at Arun Jaitley Stadium starting Friday, Team India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate expressed confidence in the team's depth. He highlighted the adaptability of players like Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, who can effectively bat in positions ranging from No. 5 to No. 8.

Ten Doeschate emphasized that this versatility not only enhances the team's overall balance but also encourages healthy competition among players. He mentioned that Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is returning from injury, fits well into this dynamic middle-order setup.

In the first Test held at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, Nitish did not get an opportunity to bat as the innings was declared before he could come to the crease. He bowled four overs in the first innings, conceding 16 runs, but did not bowl in the second innings.

Discussing Nitish's role, Ten Doeschate remarked, "We are fortunate to have players like Washington, Jadeja, and Axar, who can bat anywhere from 5 to 8. Sundar has shown his capability with crucial runs in the UK, and Jadeja's recent form has been outstanding."

He added, "When Nitish returns, he will seamlessly slot into the lineup, which is why he batted at 8. The only downside from the first Test was that he didn't get to showcase his skills. This situation sends a strong message to others vying for that spot: versatility is key, and being able to bat from 5 to 8 is essential for player development. If players are disappointed about not batting at 6 or 7, it indicates that Indian cricket is in a healthy state."

Nitish's Recent Performances

In the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Nitish missed the first match in Leeds but made it to the final XI for the second and third Tests. His performance in the second Test was modest, scoring just two runs and bowling six wicketless overs as India secured a comfortable 336-run victory. However, he made a significant impact in the third Test, taking crucial top-order wickets, including dismissing England's openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in the same over. With the bat, he contributed scores of 30 and 13, although India faced a narrow 22-run defeat at Lord's.

Reflecting on the significance of scoring substantial runs in Test cricket, Ten Doeschate stated that achieving a century is always a remarkable feat, regardless of the batting position or the opponent.

"No one turns down a Test century. Scoring runs is vital, irrespective of where you bat. A Test hundred at home, like KL Rahul's recent achievement, is never easy. It's crucial to perform well in major series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and against teams like England and South Africa. Our approach is to respect our opponents without underestimating them," the 45-year-old coach remarked.

"This week presents another opportunity to score big hundreds, which is essential in India. The goal is to compile substantial innings, typically one or two, and take pride in scoring significant runs, regardless of the batting order," he concluded.