Gavaskar Urges India to Unleash Kuldeep Yadav in Second Test Against England

Following India’s recent defeat to England, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar is urging the team to make strategic changes to their lineup for the upcoming second Test in Birmingham. His primary suggestion involves bringing in spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Gavaskar believes that the conditions at Edgbaston will favor wrist spin, making Kuldeep a valuable asset. He suggests that Kuldeep should replace Shardul Thakur in the playing XI. "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.

Thakur, who recently returned to the Test side, had a quiet performance in the previous match. Despite taking two wickets in the second innings, Gavaskar believes his overall contribution wasn't impactful enough.

Kuldeep Yadav has only played one Test in England back in 2018 at Lord’s, where he went wicketless. However, Gavaskar emphasizes that Kuldeep’s variety could be a game-changer in Birmingham.

Gavaskar also addressed the performance of the middle order, specifically Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, who were both dismissed for ducks.

While Gavaskar isn’t keen on immediately dropping Sudharsan and Nair, he hinted at a potential reshuffle if India faces another defeat. "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 said.

India aims to level the series when they take on England at Edgbaston on July 2nd.