Playing an extra batsman at Lord's 'conservative' – Bharat Arun

India go into the match 1-0 down having lost a thriller at Edgbaston by 31 runs, and they have a big decision as to whether they bring in an extra batsman or another spin bowler.

Batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was unfortunate not to be selected for the first Test, and could easily come in for one of the top-order batsmen in a straight switch. Arun hinted that playing an extra batsman would be a safe move, possibly opening the door for an extra spinner. Left-arm wrist-wpinner Kuldeep Yadav is waiting eagerly in the wings after a stunning limited-overs series against the hosts in which he was at times unplayable.

"Playing an extra batsman here I would consider a very conservative move, I think everything depends on the conditions and if the conditions are to gong to be as friendly as it was during the first Test, then it makes more sense to play five bowlers," said Arun.

India will make their decision on the eve of the Test, which begins on Thursday 9 August, upon inspection of the pitch. Jasprit Bumrah is still unavailable for selection as he recovers from a broken thumb sustained in a Twenty20 International against Ireland in June.

"I think we will make the call tomorrow, taking a look at the wicket, but our bowlers have done extremely well in the last game. It’s a good choice and a tough one too, depending on the conditions," Arun added.

"I can’t ask for anything better. There is still room for improvement but I thought the bowlers did a good job and there was a huge improvement from the first innings to the second, and that’s extremely welcome.

"Jasprit Bumrah is bowling, fit, but I think it’s too early to put him into a game situation because he needs to come off the band-aid plaster on his hand and for the second Test, he is out of contention."

Arun highlighted the importance of his side adapting to the English conditions, and backed a tactic utilised by his batsmen in the second innings of the Edgbaston Test of batting well out of their crease to the seamers in a bid to negate swing.

"I think the batsmen on both the sides found it difficult, if you look at the way the scores have turned out I think it’s only Virat Kohli and Joe Root who have come into contention with the moving ball. I think the conditions were trying, and the challenge is for us to adapt to the conditions even better and we have our plans in place.

"It is definitely a conscious call, they made the choice here and they did that in the practice games as well and they feel they have a lot more options than staying back in the crease. Also, you are cutting the amount of swing that the bowler would get by going closer to the ball."