Following India’s five-wicket defeat in the first Test against England at Headingley, cricket analysts are recommending major adjustments to the team’s lineup for the upcoming match. The loss was attributed to subpar bowling and fielding performances. Despite the setback, head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the bowlers, emphasizing the limited experience of most, apart from Bumrah and Siraj, and expressing confidence in their improvement over time.
Gambhir also supported Shardul Thakur, whose utilization in the match was questioned. Having played his first Test since December 2023, Shardul was underused in fast bowling and contributed only five runs in two innings. Concerns were raised about his selection over a specialist bowler, despite showing potential by taking two wickets on consecutive occasions on the fifth day. His bowling lacked sharpness, failing to pressure the English batsmen.
Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar has proposed the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the team, suggesting either Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna should be replaced. Sanjay Manjrekar echoed this sentiment, advocating for Kuldeep’s return and the exclusion of Shardul Thakur. Manjrekar believes India needs this change, potentially opting to reduce the number of fast bowlers and bring in Kuldeep to strengthen the spin department. Gambhir, when questioned about Shardul’s limited role, defended the captain’s decisions, highlighting Jadeja’s role in controlling the run rate in the first innings, which allowed the team to use three fast bowlers effectively. He underscored that the captain’s choices are often pitch-dependent and based on strategic considerations.