Birmingham, England:
After suffering a 5-wicket defeat in the first Test at Headingley, the Indian cricket team is expected to make key tactical and personnel changes ahead of the second Test, scheduled to begin from July 2 at Edgbaston. With England taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, India’s team management faces the challenge of reshuffling its lineup to correct the balance and improve performance in crucial areas.
Possible Changes in India’s XI for 2nd Test:
- Shardul Thakur likely to be dropped: All-rounder Shardul Thakur, who featured in the first Test, had a disappointing game. He scored just 5 runs and picked up only 2 wickets across both innings. With the team needing a more reliable fifth bowler and lower-order contributor, Shardul may be replaced in the second Test.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy in contention: Emerging Andhra Pradesh all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is being seriously considered as a replacement. Reddy, who impressed during the A-tours and the domestic season, offers batting depth and effective seam bowling something India missed at Leeds. His youthful energy and recent red-ball form make him a strong contender.
Kuldeep Yadav could return as the second spinner: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has openly backed Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the second Test. With England’s middle order susceptible to wrist spin and Edgbaston expected to offer some turn later in the match, Kuldeep could play a vital role. If included, he may replace Shardul or one of the seamers depending on pitch conditions.)
- Arshdeep Singh may replace Prasidh Krishna: Prasidh Krishna failed to impress at Headingley, taking just two wickets and appearing ineffective with the ball. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, who offers swing with the new ball and variation with his angle, is likely to be given a chance at Edgbaston, especially if the conditions are overcast and favor seam movement.
- Batting reinforcement: Dhruv Jurel or Abhimanyu Easwaran: India’s batting depth also came under scrutiny in the first Test. While openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal showed promise, the middle-order lacked solidity. Karun Nair, brought back for this series, looked out of rhythm. This opens the door for young Dhruv Jurel, a keeper-batter who can slot in at No. 6 or 7, or Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has consistently performed in domestic and A-tours. Both are being considered for a spot depending on the final team composition.
Strategy Behind Changes:
- Bowling Balance: The team struggled to pick wickets on Day 4 and 5 at Headingley. A more varied attack with both left-arm and wrist spin options may test England’s batters better.
- Batting Depth: The lower-middle order collapsed under pressure in the first Test. Strengthening that zone is key to avoid another breakdown.
- Workload Management: Bumrah is expected to play the second Test, but India is managing his appearances across the five-match series. He may be rested for the third or fourth depending on his fitness after Edgbaston.
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Edgbaston Conditions:
- The Edgbaston pitch is known for early seam movement and swing, especially under cloudy conditions.
- From Day 3 onwards, it can start offering turn, making wrist-spin a useful asset.
- India’s best Test result at Edgbaston came in 2022, when they dominated early but eventually lost a high-scoring match.
India still has the core strength to fight back in this series. With thoughtful changes to bowling variety and batting depth, the team can challenge England at Edgbaston. The final XI will depend on conditions and player fitness, but a reshuffled and rebalanced Indian side is almost certain to take the field on July 2.
