India vs. England: Calls Mount for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion After Edgbaston Test Loss

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

Following their defeat in the first Test, India is under pressure to make strategic changes as they prepare for the second Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting on July 2. A key question is whether Kuldeep Yadav will be brought into the playing XI to bolster the team's spin attack.

Kuldeep Yadav could be key for India. (BCCI Photo)

The Indian team management has indicated that Jasprit Bumrah will only participate in three of the five Tests due to workload management and his injury history. While Bumrah delivered a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the first Test, he was wicketless in the second, bowling a total of 44 overs.

The potential inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav has become a major talking point. His absence from the first Test raised questions, and after the loss, there is growing support for his inclusion in the second Test, particularly given the expectation that the Birmingham pitch will favor spinners.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar emphasized the potential impact of Yadav'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 Indian batter, also supports the inclusion of 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 added.

The five-match Test series began with England's five-wicket victory at Headingley, Leeds. The series continues with:

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

This series is part of the World Test Championship cycle.