All the talks about Kuldeep Yadav’s need in Team India will just continue to grow as Shubman Gill has once again ignored the left-armer. After a heavy drubbing in Leeds in the first Test, where India failed to take 20 wickets, there was an anticipation to include Kuldeep Yadav, who could’ve been an excellent enforcer. However, India have opted to ignore him, drafting in Washington Sundar in place of Shardul Thakur in the second Test in Birmingham.
Batting cushion outweighs Kuldeep
India’s decision to pick Sundar reflects that India is prioristing depth in batting over potency in bowling. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for workload management, India are already short on firepower. Mohammed Siraj, who underwhelmed in the series opener, will now shoulder the burden as lead pacer. Instead of bolstering the attack with a proven wicket-taker like Kuldeep, India have gone for a safer bet in Sundar, whose batting at No. 8 seems to have swayed the management.
But in doing so, they may have left the attack toothless. Kuldeep, with 118 wickets at an average of just 20.74 since December 2022, has been India’s most improved spinner. In contrast, Ravindra Jadeja has managed just six wickets in his last four SENA Tests. In conditions where England’s Bazballers will look to dominate, defensive options may not be enough.
Kuldeep tormented England in the home series, claiming 18 wickets in four Tests. His ability to break partnerships and extract turn even on placid pitches was on full display. And with the Edgbaston pitch expected to dry up, he could’ve been the X-factor India needed.
Instead, India have gone for insurance with the bat, because of the two lower order collapses in the Leeds Test.
Most wickets for India since Dec 2022
| Player | Innings | Overs | Wickets | BBI | Average | SR | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja | 77 | 938.0 | 127 | 7/42 | 25.72 | 44.3 | 6 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 67 | 547.2 | 118 | 5/17 | 20.74 | 27.8 | 4 |
| Ravi Ashwin | 41 | 719.5 | 100 | 7/71 | 23.47 | 43.1 | 7 |
| Axar Patel | 69 | 469.5 | 72 | 4/77 | 28.65 | 39.1 | 0 |
| Washington Sundar | 42 | 248.5 | 57 | 7/59 | 19.15 | 26.1 | 1 |
