Not Washington Sundar, Mohammad Azharuddin backs THIS spinner for India’s second Test vs England

New Delhi: Team India will likely change their combination of playing XI by a few players in the second Test against England. The team management may probably tinker with the bowling combination after failing to defend a big total of 371 in the first Test and losing with five wickets to spare. The main arsenal of the Indian pace attack, Jasprit Bumrah, will be rested in the second match. The batting line-up is however highly likely to remain retained.

Mohammad Azharuddin backs Kuldeep Yadav

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has supported the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav to the playing XI of the second Test. “They are too much dependent on Bumrah. It’s not easy because you need more experienced bowlers, and they should play Kuldeep Yadav. We lost because of batting collapse, but anyways now they have to pick the right players and bowling has to be perfect,” said Azharuddin to PTI.

Kuldeep Yadav’s limited appearance in Test cricket

Kuldeep Yadav is set to fight with Washington Sundar to become the part of final XI. Although Kuldeep adds the element of surprise with his wrist spin, Sundar will add the depth with the bat when bowling and will hence be a handy all-round choice. The only spin-bowling all-rounder to compete throughout the first Test, Ravindra Jadeja is projected to stay in the team.

Kuldeep Yadav played his last test game against New Zealand in October 2024. Washington Sundar, however, was taken in the Australia tour and made news when he pushed out R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to make it to the playing XIs in the first game of the series in Perth.

Kuldeep Yadav has played 13 Tests since his first match in 2017. Washington Sundar, debuting in 2021, has been involved in 9 Tests already. The second Test of the series of five matches between India and England will be played in Birmingham between July 2 and 6.

 

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