Gavaskar Urges India to Replace Thakur with Yadav for Second Test Against England

Following India's setback against England in the first Test at Leeds, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team management to consider strategic changes to the playing XI. His primary recommendation is the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, a wrist-spin bowler, in place of Shardul Thakur for the crucial second Test scheduled in Birmingham.

Kuldeep Yadav, pictured with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, could be a key asset for India in Birmingham.

Gavaskar emphasized the potential advantage Kuldeep Yadav's wrist spin could offer, given the expected conditions at the Birmingham pitch. Speaking on Tuesday, Gavaskar stated, "Whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit or not, I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come into the team...the Birmingham pitch will be one where there will be just a little bit of help for the wrist spinner.”

The Indian team intensifies preparations at the nets in Birmingham.

Shardul Thakur, who was playing his first Test match in over two years, didn't leave a mark in the first Test. He bowled only six overs in the first innings, conceding 38 runs without taking a single wicket. With the bat, he managed a combined total of only five runs across both innings. Although Thakur managed to dismiss Ben Stokes and Harry Brook in quick succession during England's second innings, Gavaskar believes that his overall showing was not impactful enough to warrant his retention in the team.

Kuldeep Yadav has only played one Test in England back in 2018 at Lord's, where he didn't manage to pick up any wickets. Regardless of this, Gavaskar is confident that Yadav's bowling style could prove to be a game-changer in Birmingham.

Gavaskar addressed the performance of the middle-order batsmen, particularly the debutant Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, who were both dismissed for a duck during the first innings at Headingley. Their dismissals triggered a collapse, turning a promising score of 430/3 into an all-out total of 471.

While Gavaskar isn’t inclined to immediately drop either player, he suggested a possible reshuffle in the batting order if India falls 0-2 behind in the series.

“If things don't go well in the second Test, maybe Sai (Sudharsan) and Karun (Nair)...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 added.

After a painful defeat to England at Headingley on Day 5, India is aiming to level the series. The team is scheduled to face England at Edgbaston starting on July 2.