Following India’s five-wicket loss to England in the Leeds Test, Sunil Gavaskar has called for immediate changes to the playing XI, with spinner Kuldeep Yadav at the forefront of his suggestions. The former India captain believes Kuldeep should replace Shardul Thakur for the upcoming second Test in Birmingham, citing conditions likely to assist wrist spin. “Whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit or not, I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come into the team. I do believe that he should come into the team for Shardul Thakur because the Birmingham pitch will be one where there will be just a little bit of help for the wrist spinner,” Gavaskar said on Tuesday while speaking on broadcast. Thakur, playing his first Test in over two years, failed to make a significant impact. He bowled just six overs in the first innings for 38 runs without a wicket and managed only five runs across both innings. Though he did provide a brief spark in the second innings with the ball, dismissing Ben Stokes and Harry Brook off consecutive deliveries, Gavaskar felt his overall performance wasn’t convincing enough. The leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, has played just one Test in England — at Lord’s in 2018 — where he went wicketless. Despite that, Gavaskar believes his variation could be vital in Birmingham.
Gavaskar on Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair
Gavaskar also addressed concerns over the middle order, particularly debutant Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, both of whom were dismissed for ducks in the first innings at Headingley, triggering a collapse from a strong 430/3 to 471 all out. While he isn’t in favour of dropping them just yet, Gavaskar hinted at a possible reshuffle if India go 0-2 down.
Poll
Will India’s middle order improve in the next Test?
“If things don’t go well in the second Test, maybe Sai (Sudharsan) and Karun (Nair). I don’t want to drop them at the moment. 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. After the painful loss to England at Headingley on Day 5, India will look to level the series when they face England at Edgbaston starting July 2.
