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

India Mulls Strategic Changes, Including Kuldeep Yadav, for Second Test Against England

As India prepares for the second Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 2, the team management is considering crucial changes to revitalize their strategy after a setback in the series opener. The pivotal question is: will Kuldeep Yadav be included in the playing XI?

The team has already indicated that Jasprit Bumrah's participation will be limited to three of the five Tests to manage his workload and injury concerns. While Bumrah showcased his prowess with a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Leeds Test, he remained wicketless in the second, bowling a demanding 44 overs as England successfully chased down a target of 371.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar emphasized the potential impact of bringing Kuldeep Yadav into the lineup. "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," Bangar noted on Star Sports. He further added that historically, English batsmen have struggled against wrist spin, making Kuldeep a valuable asset in the upcoming match.

Subramaniam Badrinath, another former Indian batter, echoed this sentiment, suggesting the inclusion of both Kuldeep 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 stated.

India's five-match Test series against England commenced with the first game at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20 to 24, where England clinched a five-wicket victory. The series schedule is as follows:

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

This series holds significant importance as part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.