Gavaskar Calls for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion in Second Test Amid Bumrah Fitness Concerns, Cites Edgbaston Conditions

Following India's recent defeat to England, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team management to consider strategic changes in the playing XI for the upcoming second Test.

A key suggestion is the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, a talented spinner, in place of Shardul Thakur. Gavaskar believes the conditions at Edgbaston, Birmingham, will favor wrist spin.

Kuldeep Yadav, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja (Image by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

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

Thakur's Performance Under Scrutiny

Shardul Thakur, who played his first Test match in over two years, failed to leave a mark in the first Test. Thakur's performance included minimal impact with the ball and a low score with the bat. Although Thakur managed to dismiss Ben Stokes and Harry Brook in the second innings, Gavaskar believes his overall contribution was not convincing enough.

Kuldeep Yadav's Potential Impact

While Kuldeep Yadav has limited Test experience in England, with just one match at Lord's in 2018, Gavaskar emphasized that his variation could prove crucial in the upcoming match at Birmingham.

Concerns Over Middle-Order Batsmen

Gavaskar also voiced his concerns about the performance of the middle-order batsmen, specifically debutant Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, both of whom were dismissed for ducks in the first innings. This collapse led to India going from 430/3 to 471 all out.

While Gavaskar is not in favor of immediately dropping them, he suggested the possibility of a reshuffle if India loses the second Test.

"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.

India will face England at Edgbaston starting July 2, aiming to level the series after their painful loss at Headingley.