ENG Vs IND: Sunil Gavaskar Explains Why Kuldeep Yadav Should Replace Shardul Thakur For The 2nd Test

The much-anticipated five-match Test series between England and India got off to a dramatic start at Headingley. What was expected to be a triumphant opener for India, after setting a formidable fourth-innings target of 371, turned into a nightmare as England chased it down with remarkable ease. Spearheaded by Ben Duckett’s breathtaking 149, England pulled off one of their finest fourth-innings chases to go 1–0 up, leaving the Indian camp rattled and in urgent need of course correction.

As the dust settles on the Headingley defeat, fingers are being pointed and questions raised—none louder than those targeting India’s bowling strategy, team selection, and decision-making under new captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir. With the second Test set to begin at Edgbaston on July 2, one name is increasingly dominating the conversation: Kuldeep Yadav.

From Hero to Question Mark: India’s Headingley Collapse

India’s performance at Headingley was a mixed bag. The batting stood tall, with centuries from captain Shubman Gill and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first innings, and counterattacking brilliance from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant in the second. India declared with a lead of 370, believing the match to be in their control.

However, England, true to their “Bazball” identity, launched a ferocious counterattack. Duckett and Zak Crawley dismantled the Indian attack in a record-breaking opening stand. Despite intermittent chances and some rain interruptions, India never looked threatening with the ball. The game was sealed with a five-wicket win for England—leaving India shocked and searching for answers.

Gavaskar Sounds the Alarm: Time for Kuldeep Over Shardul?

After the loss, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar delivered a stinging analysis on the post-match show. He did not mince words when suggesting that Shardul Thakur should be dropped from the playing XI. In his place, Gavaskar proposed the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, India’s left-arm wrist-spinner, to exploit the conditions expected at Edgbaston.

“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.

Gavaskar’s comments have reignited a long-standing debate: Can India afford to bench a seam-bowling all-rounder in England in favour of a wrist-spinner? And more importantly—is Kuldeep the right man for the job?

Shardul Thakur’s Waning All-Round Impact

Much was expected of Shardul Thakur when he was selected for this series. Dubbed “Lord Thakur” by fans for his knack of picking key wickets and scoring valuable lower-order runs, his role in England was supposed to offer balance.

But at Headingley, Thakur looked out of rhythm. He went wicketless in the first innings and managed just 2/72 in the second—his wickets coming after the game had largely slipped away. With the bat, he contributed little in either innings, exposing the middle-lower order fragility. The all-round tag began to feel like a misnomer.

His inability to sustain pressure or bowl long, effective spells compounded India’s problems—especially when England’s top order refused to play conservatively.

Why Kuldeep Yadav? The Case for a Wrist-Spin Gamble

Kuldeep Yadav remains one of the most unique options in India’s red-ball arsenal. A left-arm wrist-spinner with natural drift and deceptive flight, Kuldeep offers something radically different from the traditional off-spin of Ravichandran Ashwin or the slow left-arm of Ravindra Jadeja.

So, why Kuldeep at Edgbaston?

Variety Against Aggression: England’s ultra-aggressive middle order thrives on pace. Kuldeep’s change of pace and wrist-spin can break rhythm and force mistakes.
Recent Form: While his only Test in England (Lord’s 2018) yielded no wickets, Kuldeep has since matured into a more confident and consistent bowler. His white-ball form has been excellent, and he has shown in red-ball matches in India and Bangladesh that he can succeed with longer spells.
Edgbaston Pitch & Weather: Traditionally, Edgbaston offers some bounce and grip to wrist-spinners, especially after Day 2. With India likely to play only one spinner alongside three seamers and Hardik or Thakur as the fourth bowling option, Kuldeep can offer a genuine wicket-taking edge.
Left-Right Matchups: England’s top 6 includes multiple right-handers (Crawley, Pope, Root, Bairstow, Stokes). Kuldeep’s stock delivery moving away from right-handers adds another dimension.

What the Numbers Say: Kuldeep vs Shardul in Tests

Metric	Kuldeep Yadav	Shardul Thakur
Matches Played	9	11
Wickets	42	30
Bowling Average	21.47	37.66
Economy Rate	2.89	3.60
Best Match Figures	8/113	7/61
Batting Average	13.20	19.13

While Shardul offers more with the bat on paper, Kuldeep’s wicket-taking threat is significantly higher. In Tests India must win, strike bowlers can often be more valuable than lower-order runs.

England’s Vulnerability to Quality Spin

England’s current batting setup is built around attacking spin, but there is a caveat. While they dominate conventional finger-spin, they have been far less comfortable against wrist-spin. Even in white-ball cricket, the likes of Rashid Khan, Adam Zampa, and Yuzvendra Chahal have troubled England with flight and guile.

Kuldeep’s ability to beat the bat in the air, and his googly that turns into the right-hander, could test England’s “Bazball” mindset if he’s used tactically during middle overs or with an aging ball.

What Will India’s XI Look Like at Edgbaston?

If Gavaskar’s advice is heeded, we might see a reshuffle that brings Kuldeep in for Thakur. But there are other concerns too: Is Bumrah fully fit? Will Karun Nair retain his spot? Should India play both Jadeja and Kuldeep?

Possible India XI with Kuldeep Yadav:

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rohit Sharma
Shubman Gill (c)
KL Rahul
Karun Nair
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah / Mukesh Kumar
Mohammed Siraj
Prasidh Krishna

If India opts to retain Shardul for batting depth, they may bench either Prasidh or Jadeja—but that might weaken bowling variety.

The Bigger Picture: Gambhir’s First Major Test

While Shubman Gill’s captaincy is being dissected, this defeat has also spotlighted head coach Gautam Gambhir, who stepped into the role with high expectations and the promise of mental steel. His first major decision as coach now looms: back familiarity (Shardul) or take a bold spin-based punt (Kuldeep)?

Gambhir, known for his assertiveness, may well lean into Gavaskar’s advice—especially if Bumrah is fit and strengthens the seam attack.

Final Word: High Stakes at Edgbaston

The second Test at Edgbaston now becomes a virtual must-win for India. Falling 0–2 behind in a five-Test series in English conditions is a nightmare scenario. To bounce back, India needs not just resolve but tactical freshness.

Kuldeep Yadav may not have historical dominance in England, but sometimes, it’s not about the past—it’s about the present opportunity. With Duckett and co. thriving on pace, India must ask: Is it time to spin a new web?

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