The former coach Ravi Shastri has criticised India test captain Shubman Gill for not trusting spinners early, pointing to Washington Sundar’s late introduction on Day 03 of the Manchester Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

He went on to pick four-fer for 22 runs in the third test at Lord’s after being introduced into the bowling attack in the 69th over, which stunned everyone as India missed opportunities to get him earlier in the innings.

Speaking on Washington Sundar’s late call, Shastri said, “I said on my first commentary stint that Gill has to trust his spinners more. Washington gave him four (second-innings) wickets in the last game. He opened things up for India in the last Test at Lord’s.”

“He’s confident, so give him a go. Spinners like longer spells. On a day like this you’d expect your spinner to accept responsibility, feel accountable and to go out there and do a job,” said Shastri.

England made a solid start amassing 107 runs in 28 overs, as they reached 332.2 in 74 overs and trail India by just 26 runs, with Ollie Pope and Joe Root unbeaten on 70 and 63 respectively.

“England have had a perfect session. They went about their job in an absolute professional manner. They knew what they had to do. They had to negate Bumrah in that first half hour of play, and deny India a wicket. Then you knew with the attack India had, things would go flat because it’s great batting conditions.”

“The sun is out. The pitch has flattened out as well and it’s hard work now. It’s a great chance for England to bat India out of this contest and bat the whole day. Bumrah certainly can’t do much, especially when the tactic of the opposition is to see you through.”

“So even if they want to take chances against you, they’ll say, he’s going to bowl four overs or five overs max in that first spell. After that four four-over spells, let’s just play him out and concentrate on the other end,” added Shastri.

England ended a day 03 scoring 544 runs for 7 wickets, securing a 186-run lead over India in the Manchester Test.