India vs England 2nd Test Stats Preview: Why India can ill afford to not play Kuldeep Yadav in Birmingham

As the second Test between India and England unfolds at Edgbaston, Birmingham, debate swirls around a surprising selection call—India’s decision to leave out Kuldeep Yadav. The wrist-spinner, who has been in exceptional form, was widely expected to play a pivotal role, especially on a pitch that has historically offered assistance to spinners. With Jasprit Bumrah rested, India’s bowling attack looks diluted, and the omission of Kuldeep may prove a costly gamble.

Kuldeep Yadav: India’s X-Factor with the Ball

Kuldeep Yadav’s recent form has been nothing short of outstanding. In his last few Test appearances, he’s consistently taken key wickets, demonstrating both variety and control. As a left-arm wrist-spinner, Kuldeep brings a rare skillset—his deliveries turn sharply and bounce unpredictably, posing a unique challenge to batters who are unaccustomed to such spin.

Against England, Kuldeep has historically performed well. In 2024 alone, he picked up crucial wickets during home series matches, dismantling the English middle order with guile. His career strike rate in Test cricket stands at around 36—among the best for spinners in modern cricket.

Edgbaston: A Venue That Suits Spinners

What makes Kuldeep’s exclusion more puzzling is the nature of the pitch at Edgbaston. While English surfaces are generally associated with seam movement, Edgbaston has been an outlier in recent years. In the last few Tests played at this venue, spinners—especially visiting ones—have enjoyed notable success.

During the 2023 Ashes, Australia’s Nathan Lyon exploited the surface expertly, taking eight wickets in the match and proving that quality spin bowling is not only viable but essential at Edgbaston. With this historical context, the decision to sideline Kuldeep appears increasingly flawed.

England’s Struggles Against Wrist-Spin

Another statistical trend in India’s favor is England’s known vulnerability to wrist-spin. Since 2022, English batters have faced fewer than 10 overs of wrist-spin in home conditions—yet they average just over 30 against it, a clear sign of discomfort.

Kuldeep’s bowling average against England is an impressive 20.6, and he has picked up 19 wickets in just five Tests against them. These numbers aren’t inflated by one-off performances—they reflect a consistent pattern. His variations—especially the wrong’un—have deceived even top-order batters like Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow in the past.

India’s Bowling Without Bumrah: An Imbalanced Attack?

With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the second Test as part of workload management, India’s pace attack loses its most lethal weapon. Bumrah’s ability to break partnerships and extract reverse swing in English conditions is well-documented. His absence places more responsibility on Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar, both of whom are competent but not as threatening without a strong support cast.

In such a scenario, including a specialist wicket-taking spinner like Kuldeep Yadav would have made strategic sense. Washington Sundar, picked instead, offers batting depth and off-spin—but his impact as a bowler in overseas conditions remains limited. With England’s left-heavy top order, a left-arm wrist-spinner could have exploited the angles and extracted errors more effectively.

India’s Recent Spin Strategy: Defensive or Misguided?

India’s spin policy in overseas Tests has often leaned conservative. Since 2022, India have played only two wrist-spinners in their XI in a total of 27 away Tests. This hesitance has cost them at times, as seen during the World Test Championship Final, where they played three seamers and a finger spinner on an Oval pitch that eventually assisted turn.

Kuldeep’s exclusion from this Test mirrors that same reluctance. Despite his effectiveness, India opted to bolster their batting—possibly out of fear of a collapse against England’s aggressive bowling. But against the Bazball philosophy, defense may not be the best form of attack. Taking 20 wickets should be the priority, and Kuldeep offered a real chance of doing just that.

Voices of Dissent: Experts Speak Out

Several cricketing legends have expressed surprise over Kuldeep’s omission. Sunil Gavaskar, never one to mince words, said he was “baffled” by the decision and believed Edgbaston was made for Kuldeep’s bowling style. Michael Clarke, former Australian captain, said it was a “no-brainer” to play the wrist-spinner given England’s known struggle against spin.

Even England’s Mark Wood, when asked about India’s selection, admitted that he was “relieved” not to face Kuldeep’s trickery. This sentiment underscores the psychological advantage Kuldeep brings—not just the actual wickets, but the sense of threat that can cause indecision and errors.

Could This Cost India the Series?

India trail 1–0 in the five-match series after a defeat in the first Test. Losing the second Test would place them in a must-win situation for the remaining three games—a scenario no team desires in English conditions. Given the stats, pitch conditions, and opposition weaknesses, not playing Kuldeep might end up being a critical miscalculation.

Cricket is a game of moments, and it often takes one breakthrough to change the momentum. Kuldeep, with his unpredictability, offers just that—a game-changing weapon who can break stands and run through a side on his day.

Conclusion

As day one at Edgbaston unfolds, India may already be ruing their decision. The pitch is showing signs of wear, and England’s batters are settling in comfortably against a fairly predictable attack. Kuldeep Yadav could have been the joker in the pack—unexpected, unorthodox, and undoubtedly dangerous.

In Test cricket, especially in overseas conditions, it’s not just about batting depth—it’s about bowling bite. And by leaving out Kuldeep, India might have blunted their sharpest weapon right when they needed it the most.