Gavaskar Calls for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion in Second Test; Questions Bumrah's Fitness After Leeds Loss

Gavaskar Advocates for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion in Second Test Against England

Following India's defeat to England in the Leeds Test, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team management to make strategic changes to the playing XI for the upcoming second Test in Birmingham. His primary suggestion revolves around the inclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav, replacing Shardul Thakur. Gavaskar believes that the conditions at Edgbaston will favor wrist spin.

Kuldeep Yadav with teammates Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.

"Whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit or not, I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come into the team... because the Birmingham pitch will be one where there will be just a little bit of help for the wrist spinner," Gavaskar stated during a recent broadcast.

Team India trains hard at the nets in Birmingham.

Thakur, who was playing his first Test match in over two years, failed to leave a lasting impression during the match. He bowled only six overs in the first innings, conceding 38 runs without taking a wicket. He also managed to score only five runs combined in both innings. While he did manage to take two wickets consecutively in the second innings, Gavaskar didn't think it was enough to justify his spot on the team.

Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, has only played one Test in England back in 2018 at Lord’s, where he wasn’t able to take any wickets. Despite this, Gavaskar is confident that his variations could prove crucial in Birmingham.

Gavaskar also addressed the concerns surrounding the middle order, especially the debutants Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Both batsmen were dismissed for ducks in the first innings at Headingley, which led to a collapse from a comfortable 430/3 to 471 all out.

While Gavaskar isn’t currently in favor of dropping them, he did mention a potential reshuffle if India falls behind 0-2 in the series.

“If things don't go well in the second Test, maybe Sai (Sudharsan) and Karun (Nair)... Then I'd also look at Washington (Sundar), so that it really gives you a more solid batting, and also get a little more variety as far the bowling is concerned,” he added.

Following their defeat to England at Headingley, India will be aiming to level the series when they face England at Edgbaston, starting on July 2nd.