India captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir surprised many by omitting Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI for the second Test against England at Edgbaston. The management instead picked Washington Sundar, a spin-bowling all-rounder, prioritising batting depth over spin strength.
When asked about the decision, Gill said, “We were tempted to play Kuldeep (Yadav) but decided to add some depth to the batting.”
Kuldeep’s exclusion came as a disappointment to fans and pundits alike, especially after Ravichandran Ashwin’s absence seemingly opened a slot for a specialist spinner.
Kaif, Fans Call Decision Unfair
Earlier, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif weighed in on the matter, stating that “it would be unfair” if Kuldeep wasn’t selected despite Ashwin’s unavailability. The wrist-spinner had been seen as the logical replacement, but Gambhir’s tactical preferences appeared to play a key role.
Known for favouring multi-skilled players, Gambhir is said to prefer utility cricketers like Sundar over specialist bowlers. His admiration for Sundar’s all-round ability reportedly influenced the final team decision.
Bumrah to Return for Third Test at Lord’s
While India chose to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test in Birmingham as part of workload management, Shubman Gill confirmed that the pace ace will return for the third Test at Lord’s, starting July 10.
“Third Test being at Lord’s, we think there’ll be more in that pitch so we’ll use him there,” Gill said at the toss.
The Indian team had earlier announced that Bumrah would feature in three of the five Tests in the ongoing series. He had led India’s bowling attack in the first Test at Leeds, where the visitors suffered a five-wicket loss.
Team Eyes Balance Amidst Selection Scrutiny
India’s playing XI decisions, especially in a high-stakes Test series, have sparked debate among fans and experts. The choice to prioritise batting depth over spin variety reflects a cautious approach from the Gill-Gambhir duo, but one that may come under scrutiny if results don’t go their way.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on how the balance between attack and depth plays out—especially with Bumrah’s return and the spin department still under debate.