Experts Urge India to Consider Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh for Edgbaston Test

Will Kuldeep Yadav Feature in the Second Test? Experts Weigh In

Following their defeat in the first Test against England, the Indian cricket team faces crucial decisions as they prepare for the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting on July 2. The series currently stands at 1-0 in favor of England, leaving India eager to level the score. Several key questions are being debated among experts and fans alike.

Kuldeep Yadav could be key for India in the second Test.

One major point of discussion is the potential inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. His absence from the first Test raised eyebrows, but with the expectation that the Birmingham pitch will favor spinners, his inclusion is now a strong possibility.

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.

Another consideration is the workload management of Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian team management has indicated that Bumrah will likely play only three of the five Tests, given his injury history. While he took a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the first Test, he went wicketless in the second, bowling nearly 44 overs in total.

Further adding to the discussion, former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath suggests that India should consider 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 said.

The remaining schedule for the five-match Test series is as follows:

• Second Test: July 2-6 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
• Third Test: July 10-14 at Lord’s, London
• Fourth Test: July 23-27 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
• Fifth Test: July 31-August 4 at the Kennington Oval, London

This series is a part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, adding further significance to each match.