India will need to perform at their peak when they play the hosts in the second Test after falling behind 1-0 in the five-match series against England. The competition will take place in Edgbaston starting on Wednesday, July 2.
In the Leeds series opener, Shubman Gill and company weren’t playing at their best tactically. Given that India lacked enough bowling attack capability, Shardul Thakur’s pick turned out to be disastrous. There has been a lot of conjecture around the possible modifications they would make before to the second Test.
India’s squad for the Test series vs England: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk/vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana.
On that line, here are three things India must get right in the second Test against England.
1. Kuldeep Yadav Selection Ahead of an All-Rounder May Hold the Key
India is probably going to select a second spinner for the second Test, according to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav could be selected in Birmingham since Ravindra Jadeja is expected to stay in the team despite a lackluster recent performance.
Although Sundar has great promise as a Test cricket player and provides depth in his batting, it’s safe to conclude that Kuldeep will give India a higher chance of taking 20 wickets during the match. Even though the recent choices have been at odds with that goal, Gill has frequently stated that he wants to choose a squad that can do it.
Against England’s high-risk, high-reward strategy, Kuldeep might be a dangerous weapon. India must choose their best spinner, even if it means fewer lower-order runs.
2. India Should Promote Ravindra Jadeja Higher in the Batting Order
Ravindra Jadeja’s batting with the tail has been consistently awful throughout the years. Even while leading a relatively weak group of bowlers in the previous Test, the left-hander fell short.
The lower-middle order spots would be freed up for more dynamic hitters who can find the boundary and farm the strike if Jadeja were used up the order. Nitish Kumar Reddy, for example, may be a good fit for that position; Rishabh Pant might even move down from No. 5 to No. 6.
Jadeja, a batsman with good technique and the temperament to play extended innings, could regain his lost touch if given more time at the crease.
3. India need to field ace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah while the series is still up for grabs
Jasprit Bumrah is available for the second Test, according to Gill, but he has not promised that the star batsman will play. There is no reason why Bumrah shouldn’t play in Edgbaston if he is, as they say, healthy and ready to go.
India would find it extremely tough to recover from a 2-0 disadvantage, with or without Bumrah. Additionally, the 31-year-old should be well-rested because the visitors have had a lengthy break since the first Test ended. It will be important to play him while the series is still up for grabs.
