McCullum says Bashir could debut in all-spin attack against India![Copy icon](/ls-web-assets/svgs/common/link-471b4.svg)
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![Brendon McCullum says England could field an all-spin attack against India](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/30012024/14e4bccf-a333-4b47-9872-d15801196523.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Brendon McCullum says England could field an all-spin attack in the Second Test against India on Friday.
McCullum's tourists are 1-0 up in the five-match series after a stunning opening victory in Hyderabad during which spin accounted for 18 of their 20 wickets, the other two scalps being by run out.
And with India likely to cultivate even more extreme conditions to get themselves back into the contest, the head coach is open to handing 20-year-old slow bowler Shoaib Bashir a debut and not picking any pacers at all.
Bashir's arrival to India was delayed due to a visa issue but he is available for this week's match in Visakhapatnam.
McCullum told SENZ radio: "Bash was obviously with us during our camp in Abu Dhabi and he really impressed with his skill set.
"He fitted in seamlessly within the group and he's a guy who's got an immense amount of enthusiasm, albeit at a young age.
![Somerset spinner Shoaib Bashir is in line to make his England debut](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/30012024/a8ee20c4-f3ba-4f9b-8cea-8a6a2cde6229.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
"If the wickets continue to spin as much as in the First Test as the series goes on, we won't be afraid to play all spinners."
McCullum was also full of praise for captain Ben Stokes' handling of Tom Hartley, after the debutant bounced back from first-innings figures of 2-131 to claim seven wickets on day four to win England the match.
Stokes was questioned for persevering with the left-armer, who bowled 25 overs first time round despite struggling to recover from his first and fifth balls being hit for six by Yashasvi Jaiswal.
But the Kiwi coach, 42, believes Hartley's zero-to-hero arc is testament to the culture in the visitors' dressing room.
He said: "The way the skipper handled him [Hartley] was quite remarkable and he obviously brought us a Test win.
"I thought that was a real sign of leadership. It was a clear message that when we talk about freedom, taking the game on and trying to come in and make a difference, you're not going to be cast aside or taken off the crease from the first sign of danger.
"It allowed Tom to feel like he belonged."