Irfan Pathan: India need few changes if Gill, Gurnoor pass fitness test
Synopsis
India won the first ODI by six wickets at Edgbaston, but the real question heading into the second match is fitness, not form. Irfan Pathan's message is simple: don't fix what isn't broken — unless Gill's hamstring or Gurnoor Brar's physical condition forces the issue.
Key Takeaways
India beat England by six wickets at Edgbaston to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Shubman Gill retired hurt on 80 with cramps, raising doubts about his availability for the second ODI.
Gurnoor Brar took two key wickets but appeared to struggle physically during the match.
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan urged India to maintain their winning XI unless fitness forces changes.
Discussions around Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion are ongoing, but Pathan says injury should be the only selection trigger.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar shared an unbeaten century stand to seal the chase with 28 balls to spare.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged the Indian team management to hold firm on selection for the second ODI against England, arguing that their commanding six-wicket win at Edgbaston on 15 July leaves little reason to tinker — provided Shubman Gill and Gurnoor Brar clear their respective fitness checks.
India's Series-Opening Win at Edgbaston
India claimed a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after overhauling a target of 259 with 28 balls to spare in Birmingham. The chase wobbled early with the dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but Gill's fluent 80 steadied the innings before he retired hurt with cramps. An unbeaten century partnership between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar then sealed the win. Gurnoor Brar contributed with two key wickets, triggering England's middle-order collapse, though he too appeared to struggle physically during the match.
Pathan's Case for Continuity
Speaking to JioStar, Pathan made a straightforward argument for an unchanged XI, pointing to the short turnaround between matches. 'The main thing is to maintain this momentum. It's good that you won, so there isn't much you need to change. Anyway, it's just a day's break. England will have to work very hard. They will have to manage the short turnaround and come back with better planning. So, there are more challenges for them than for India,' he said.
Pathan's view reflects a broader cricketing consensus: winning sides rarely benefit from disrupting a settled combination, particularly when the margin of victory is as comfortable as it was at Edgbaston.
The Two Fitness Concerns India Are Watching
Despite backing continuity, Pathan flagged two specific concerns that could force the management's hand. 'For the Indian team, my main concern would be how serious Gurnoor Brar's injury is and how serious Shubman Gill's hamstring issue is, considering he retired hurt. Those are the two things I will be watching closely,' he added.
Gill's retirement hurt mid-innings raised immediate questions about his availability for the second ODI. Gurnoor Brar, who made a strong impression on debut with his ability to trouble England's batters, will also be assessed. Both players are central to India's plans — Gill as captain and top-order anchor, Brar as a frontline pace option.
Kuldeep Yadav Debate Simmers in the Background
Even as the fitness situation remains fluid, discussions around the potential inclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav have surfaced within cricket circles. Pathan, however, was categorical: fitness should be the only trigger for any change. 'Apart from that, if both of them are fit, I don't think India need to make many changes, even though there might be discussions around Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion,' he stated.
Kuldeep's record in English conditions adds weight to those discussions, but Pathan's position is clear — a winning combination deserves the benefit of the doubt.
What's Next for Both Sides
India head into the second ODI with the opportunity to seal the series, while England face a rapid rebuilding exercise after a below-par performance. The pressure of the short turnaround falls disproportionately on the hosts, who must regroup tactically and potentially revisit their batting order after the middle-order collapse at Edgbaston. India, by contrast, need only manage their players' fitness to stay on course for a series victory.
Point of View
But it sidesteps a more pointed question: if both Gill and Gurnoor are unavailable, India's top-order depth and pace attack look considerably thinner. The Edgbaston win was built on individual brilliance — Gill's anchoring, Axar's all-round display — rather than systemic dominance. England, for all their shortcomings in the first ODI, have the home conditions and the motivation of a must-win match. India's real test is whether they can replicate that performance without two of their most important contributors, and whether the management has the clarity to make the right call quickly given the short turnaround.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Irfan Pathan say about India's team selection for the second ODI?
Irfan Pathan said India have little reason to change a winning combination after their six-wicket win at Edgbaston, adding that fitness — specifically Shubman Gill's hamstring and Gurnoor Brar's physical condition — is the only factor that should influence selection for the second ODI against England.
Why did Shubman Gill retire hurt in the first ODI?
Shubman Gill retired hurt after scoring 80 runs during India's successful chase of 259 at Edgbaston, reportedly due to cramps. His availability for the second ODI depends on how his hamstring responds in the short turnaround between matches.
How did India win the first ODI against England?
India won by six wickets in Birmingham, chasing down 259 with 28 balls to spare. After early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Gill's 80 steadied the chase before Axar Patel and Washington Sundar added an unbeaten century partnership to seal the result.
Is Kuldeep Yadav likely to play the second ODI?
Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion has been discussed within cricket circles, but Irfan Pathan has suggested that India should only consider changes if Gill or Gurnoor Brar are ruled out through injury, rather than making tactical switches to a winning XI.
What challenges does England face ahead of the second ODI?
England must regroup quickly after a below-par performance at Edgbaston, where their middle order collapsed. The short turnaround gives them limited time to address tactical shortcomings, and they must win the second ODI to keep the three-match series alive.
