India vs England: Calls Mount for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion as Edgbaston Test Looms

India vs. England: Calls Grow for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion in Second Test

As India prepares to face England in the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham on July 2, discussions are intensifying regarding potential changes to the team's composition following their defeat in the first Test. Key questions revolve around Jasprit Bumrah's participation, the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, and the overall strategy for leveling the series.

Kuldeep Yadav (BCCI Photo)

Team management has indicated that Bumrah's workload will be carefully managed, limiting him to three of the five Tests due to his injury history.

In the first Test at Leeds, Bumrah claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings but went wicketless in the second, bowling extensively as England successfully chased down a target of 371.

The potential inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav has become a significant talking point. His absence from the first Test raised eyebrows, but the expectation that the Birmingham pitch will favor spinners has strengthened the case for his inclusion.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar emphasized the potential impact of Kuldeep's wrist spin. "The team will have to give some thought to how we can bring Kuldeep Yadav into the XI, because judging by the approach we saw from the England batters in the first Test, Kuldeep — who bowls wrist spin — could be effective. Historically, England’s batters haven’t played wrist spin particularly well. So that is definitely something worth considering," Bangar stated on Star Sports.

Subramaniam Badrinath, another former India batter, suggests further bolstering the bowling attack by including both Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Arshdeep Singh for the Edgbaston Test.

"I think one change could be replacing Shardul — I’d definitely look to include a bowler. And maybe instead of Prasidh Krishna, I’d look to add some variety. So probably, my changes would be Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav coming into the XI. But then again, the final XI will depend on the conditions," Badrinath explained.

The five-match Test series commenced at Headingley, Leeds, where England secured a five-wicket victory. Following the second Test at Edgbaston (July 2-6), the series will move to Lord’s, London (July 10-14), Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (July 23-27), and conclude at the Kennington Oval, London (July 31-August 4). This series is an integral part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.