Gautam Gambhir moves to Virat Kohli's India template; Kuldeep Yadav to replace this player vs England

After a disappointing five-wicket loss to England in the first Test despite five brilliant centuries, the Indian cricket team is expected to make big changes in the playing XI for the second Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

Not just the lack of support from the lower-middle order and lack of fight from the tailenders, but also a weak bowling performance in the first Test has forced the Indian think tank to make significant changes in the Playing XI for the second Test against England, starting on July 2 in Birmingham.

India eyes five-bowler strategy for Edgbaston Test

Sources have revealed to CricBlogger that the Indian cricket team management is now thinking of going back to a more traditional bowling strategy, playing five proper bowlers instead of relying on part-timers who struggle to make an impact with bat or ball.

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This approach was once a key part of Virat Kohli’s captaincy style and helped the Indian cricket team stay on top in Test cricket.

It was also clear at Headingley that Jasprit Bumrah missed his trusted pace partner Mohammed Shami, who is still recovering and not fully match-fit.

Without Mohammed Shami, Bumrah had to shoulder the burden alone, and it showed. He was tired, and with no help from the fielders and other bowlers, he could not take a single wicket in the second innings after his five-wicket haul in the first innings against England at Headingley.

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Kuldeep Yadav likely to replace Shardul Thakur in the XI for Edgbaston Test

Additionally, a CricBlogger report also claimed that Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be brought into the playing XI for the second Test, possibly replacing the all-rounder Shardul Thakur, to add more strength and variety to the spin department after Ravindra Jadeja’s ordinary performance.

With England taking a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series, the tourists are all but confirmed to make these changes to make a strong comeback in the second Test at Edgbaston.

Recently, the former Australia captain Michael Clarke also suggested that Kuldeep Yadav must be included in India’s playing XI, calling it an obvious and smart move. Clarke has noted that Kuldeep has the rare skill of picking up wickets no matter what kind of pitch he is bowling on.

It is an absolute no-brainer: Michael Clarke backs Kuldeep Yadav to play in England

Whether it's turning or flat, Kuldeep’s variety and wrist-spin can trouble any batting lineup. With the Indian cricket team struggling to take crucial wickets in the first Test, Clarke feels Kuldeep’s presence could make a big difference in the upcoming games.

Michael Clarke said on the Beyond23 Podcast, “Bowling-wise, I do not want to be hard on any individual, but I think they've got to play Kuldeep Yadav. I think it is an absolute no-brainer. He's a wicket-taker and would have offered a lot more than what the attack did in this Test.”

Clarke said that Bumrah is leading the attack brilliantly, but the other pacers must improve their execution and find better ways to take wickets.

He added, “Bumrah's a star; he's leading that attack. But the other three pacers, yes, at times they bowled well, but they need to find more ways of taking wickets. Their execution probably needs to be better.”

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