Following India's defeat against England in the first Test at Leeds, calls are growing for a strategic shift in the team composition for the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. With the series at stake, cricket experts and former players are advocating for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist-spinner, in place of Shardul Thakur, a seam-bowling all-rounder. The second Test will commence on July 2, 2025.
Shardul Thakur's performance in the first Test has come under scrutiny. In his first Test since December 2023, Thakur's contributions with both bat and ball were underwhelming. He scored a total of five runs off 20 balls across two innings and bowled only 16 overs, picking up two wickets while conceding 89 runs. His under-utilization in the bowling department, particularly when conditions appeared favorable for swing bowlers, has raised questions about his place in the playing XI. Some experts believe that if Shardul is not bowling a significant number of overs, there is no point in including him in the team.
Conversely, Kuldeep Yadav is being touted as an "X-factor" bowler who can provide a different dimension to India's attack. With 56 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 22.16, Kuldeep has a proven track record. Former England spinner Monty Panesar pointed out that Kuldeep's numbers are significantly better than Shardul's, who has 33 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 29.36. Kuldeep's ability to extract turn and trouble batsmen, even on non-turning tracks, makes him a potentially decisive weapon. Former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Harbhajan Singh have also expressed their support for Kuldeep's inclusion. Michael Clarke, former Australia captain, has also urged Gautam Gambhir to include Kuldeep Yadav. He believes that Kuldeep is a wicket-taker and would have offered a lot more than what the attack did in the first Test.
Several factors support the argument for Kuldeep's inclusion. Firstly, the Edgbaston pitch is expected to favor spinners. Secondly, Kuldeep has a good record in away Tests, with 18 wickets in four matches at an average of 19.6. Thirdly, England's batsmen have historically struggled against Kuldeep's type of bowling. Lastly, India needs to take 20 wickets to win a Test match, and Kuldeep can provide that wicket-taking threat.
While Ravindra Jadeja is a valuable all-rounder, his bowling style may not be as effective on English pitches compared to a wrist-spinner like Kuldeep. Jadeja tends to bowl at a quicker pace, while Kuldeep relies on spin and guile to deceive batsmen. Some analysts suggest that Jadeja can play the role of a defensive spinner, allowing Kuldeep to be the attacking option.
The team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, faces a tough decision. While Gambhir has defended Gill's decision to underbowl Shardul in the first Test, he may find it difficult to justify his selection in the second Test. The pressure is on India to bounce back after the defeat in Leeds, and a strategic change in the bowling attack may be necessary. While Jasprit Bumrah's workload management is also a concern, the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav could provide the bowling unit with the necessary firepower to level the series.
