IND Vs ENG 2nd Test: Was Edgbaston Boundary Shortened To Counter India’s Spin Plan?

The opening day of the India vs England 2nd Test had a bit of everything. India stumbled early but pulled things back nicely with skipper Shubman Gill’s classy hundred, while England kept the pressure alive with five wickets. The weather played along too--no rain interruptions at all. But what really got people talking wasn’t just the cricket--it was the boundary size at Edgbaston which many found not exact same as it was.

Going deep into the matter, something serious comes out. Was it because of India’s two-spinner strategy that the boundary size was shortened, possibly giving England batters a better chance to go big? Or was it something else entirely?

And given the fact that India had already announced their spin-heavy plans for the Edgbaston battle, the chatter around the boundary dimensions just kept growing louder. As per Times Of India reports, the boundary dimensions appeared asymmetrical, especially towards the scoreboard end near wide long-off. Also, many spectators at the ground claimed they had never seen such shortened boundaries in a Test match at Edgbaston before.

The extra space after the rope was huge. Cow corner marked the longest boundary at 65 metres, while straight hits barely reached 60. Within ICC rules that allow boundary sizes between 59 and 90 metres, yes, but still unusually tight for a Test match given the cutback of nearly 5–10 metres.

It defines even better when it came to team selection, India opted for Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav--likely for his tighter lines with the ball and added depth with the bat. It was visible in the first Test that the Three Lions are struggling against spin. Skipper Shubman Gill had even hinted in his pre-match comments on the fact that India might look to exploit that vulnerability of England.

Nothing official has come from England’s side on the matter yet. Still, it continues to stir debate as India begin Day 2 of the 2nd Test at Edgbaston. Follow IND Vs ENG 2nd Test Day 2 live score here.