India Reels After Headingley Test Demolition: Can Kuldeep Yadav Spark a Rebound?

India Faces Rebuilding Task After Headingley Test Defeat: Will Kuldeep Yadav Be the Answer?

LEEDS, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Mohammed Siraj of India looks on as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett of England add to the total during day five of the 1st Rothesay Test Match between England and India at Headingley on June 24, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

India's tour of England was always expected to be a challenge, given the team's evolving batting order. However, after a disheartening defeat in the first Test at Headingley, the task ahead appears even more daunting.

In a historic yet unwanted record, India became the first team in the 149-year history of Test cricket to lose a match after scoring five centuries. Their total of 835 runs across two innings was the fourth-highest in a Test that ended in defeat. The bowlers, ultimately, will carry much of the responsibility for failing to defend such a substantial score, especially on a tiring Day Five pitch.

Jasprit Bumrah, despite his outstanding performance in the first innings (5-83), found himself neutralized by cautious English batting in the second. The supporting bowlers struggled to maintain consistent pressure. Mohammed Siraj lacked penetration, while Prasidh Krishna, although taking five wickets, conceded runs at an expensive rate of over six per over. Ravindra Jadeja, the sole spin option, failed to replicate his usual effectiveness on pitches that don't traditionally favor spin.

However, coach Gautam Gambhir suggested that significant changes to the bowling lineup are unlikely for the second Test in Birmingham. He lauded Siraj's experience and praised Prasidh's potential.

"Barring Bumrah and Siraj, we don’t have too much experience in the attack. Prasidh bowled very well and got us important wickets. He brings something different to the table with the bounce that he generates and has the ingredients of becoming a very good Test bowler," Gambhir stated.

Gambhir emphasized the need for patience with the young pace attack: "We will have to give them time. Earlier, we used to have four fast bowlers in the squad with an experience of more than 40 Tests...But we have got to keep backing them because it’s not about one tour. It’s about building a fast-bowler battery that can serve India for a long time in Test cricket."

Shardul Thakur's position seems particularly vulnerable. He bowled only 16 overs, took two wickets, and failed to contribute with the bat. While Gambhir acknowledged the importance of Shardul's wickets, the need to bolster the bowling attack to take 20 wickets is evident.

“I agree that even if you score 1000 runs, a victory is not guaranteed. To win, you need to take 20 wickets, but we will have to see the conditions (at Edgbaston) before taking a call,” Gambhir said.

Could Kuldeep Yadav Be the Missing Piece?

The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test could be a strategic masterstroke. During England's previous tour of India in 2023-24, the left-arm wrist spinner was highly effective, claiming 19 wickets at an average of 20.14. Given that batsmen like Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, who troubled India in the first Test, are not renowned for their proficiency against spin, Kuldeep's wrist spin could prove difficult to handle.

Kuldeep's inclusion, however, wouldn't necessarily come at the expense of Ravindra Jadeja, who still enjoys strong support within the team. Captain Shubman Gill expressed satisfaction with Jadeja's performance, supported by Gambhir. Jadeja's ability to contain runs and bowl quickly also works in his favor. This scenario puts Shardul Thakur in a precarious situation. The team management faces the crucial decision of whether they are comfortable with just three specialist pacers.

If the team opts for a fourth pace option alongside two spinners, Karun Nair might be the player to make way for batting all-rounder Nitish Reddy. Nair's scores of 0 and 20 in the first Test were uninspiring, while Nitish's performances in Australia, including a century at the MCG, could sway Gambhir and the team management.

Addressing Late-Order Collapses

India's late-order batting collapses, which saw them lose 13 wickets for 72 runs across both innings, significantly impacted the game's outcome. Gambhir acknowledged that a score of 550-600 from their strong position of 431-3 in the first innings would have made a difference. "It’s not that they are not applying themselves, they are trying. Yes, those extra runs would have been crucial, but I don’t want to blame 9, 10 and 11 for not getting a lot of runs," Gambhir said. He emphasized that scores of 471 and 364 should ideally be sufficient to secure a Test victory in England.

The question remains whether India will take the bold step of fielding five specialist bowlers to capitalize on the good form of their top-order batsmen.