Gautam Gambhir Gets Clear Message to Pick Benched Star for 2nd Test vs England

The Indian cricket team is fully prepared for the second Test match against England, which is scheduled to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from July 2 to July 6. After the loss in the first Test match, changes in Team India’s playing XI seem certain. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s participation. During this period, the team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir received a message that could lead to a major change in the playing XI. This message was given to Gautam Gambhir by a former Australian captain and commentator, Michael Clarke. He has advised Team India to include a left-arm spinner in the team. The former Australian player believes that spinner Kuldeep Yadav could do something special in the Edgbaston Test match — something Team India needs.

Kuldeep Yadav Is the Best: Clarke

Former Australian captain and commentator Michael Clarke believes that in the second Test match, Kuldeep Yadav can trouble the English batsmen. Speaking on the Beyond 23 podcast, Clarke said that including Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test match is a very straightforward decision.

During the Leeds Test match, Indian bowlers were unable to take wickets. Clarke said, "I don't want to blame anyone from a bowling perspective, but Kuldeep Yadav must be played in the second Test match. He is truly a wicket-taking bowler. Had he played the first Test, he could have made a big difference."

Team India Might Be Making a Big Mistake

The former Australian captain pointed out that sometimes Team India, in trying to play more batsmen, focuses too much on all-rounders, but on English soil, they should select bowlers who have the ability to take 20 wickets. Apart from Clarke, former England batsman Nick Knight is also in favour of playing Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test match.

According to him, if the Edgbaston pitch offers even a little turn, Kuldeep Yadav can prove to be quite dangerous. Knight believes that if Kuldeep finds his rhythm, his presence could become a decisive factor in the match. Everyone is awaiting the announcement of Team India’s playing XI for the second Test, but the demand for Kuldeep’s return is growing stronger. The second Test match begins on July 2.

Kuldeep’s performance in Test matches

Kuldeep Yadav has played 13 Test matches for India so far. In 24 innings, he has taken 56 wickets. Kuldeep played his last Test match in November last year against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Against England, Kuldeep has taken 21 wickets in 11 innings of 6 Test matches. Kuldeep played only one Test in England in 2018, in which he bowled 9 overs but did not find any success.

India's Probable Playing XI

Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Karun Nair, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh.