Gavaskar Calls for Kuldeep Yadav Inclusion, Questions Bumrah's Fitness Ahead of 2nd England Test

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 consider strategic changes to the playing XI. A key recommendation is the inclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur for the crucial second Test in Birmingham.

Gavaskar emphasized the potential for wrist spin to thrive on the Birmingham pitch. "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 broadcast on Tuesday.

Team India preparing for the second Test in Birmingham.

Thakur, who was making his first Test appearance in over two years, had a minimal impact on the match. His figures included six overs for 38 runs without a wicket in the first innings, coupled with a mere five runs across both innings. While Thakur did manage to dismiss Ben Stokes and Harry Brook in quick succession during the second innings, Gavaskar felt that his overall performance lacked the consistency required at this level.

Kuldeep Yadav's sole Test match in England was at Lord's in 2018, where he was unable to take any wickets. Despite this, Gavaskar believes that the leg-spinner's variations could prove to be invaluable in Birmingham.

Middle-Order Concerns Addressed

Gavaskar also commented on the performance of the middle order, particularly concerning the debutants Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Both batsmen were dismissed for ducks in the first innings at Headingley, triggering a collapse after India had reached a promising 430/3, eventually being all out for 471.

While Gavaskar isn't immediately advocating for their removal from the team, he suggested the possibility of a reshuffle should India fall 0-2 behind 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 explained.

Following their disappointing loss to England at Headingley, India will be determined to level the series when they face England at Edgbaston, starting on July 2.