Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim has highlighted the importance of including spinner Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI for the second Test against England. Karim pointed out that Kuldeep has historically had tremendous success against English batsmen at home and might be a key asset.
On June 24, India lost the first Test to England by five wickets at Headingley, Leeds. The Indian side went with a pace-heavy attack that included Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, as well as seam all-rounder Shardul Thakur.
Karim believes Kuldeep’s wrist spin will present a unique challenge to the England batsmen and may be difficult to read.
“Stats are the witness. Kuldeep Yadav grabbed 17 wickets against England in the home series. No English hitter can understand when he releases the ball. So, why aren’t you playing this type of bowler? He is an offensive bowler for your team. “India currently requires attacking bowlers,” Karim told Sony Sports.
The former wicketkeeper-batsman also stated that India could go with four specialist bowlers, especially if Nitish Kumar Reddy is chosen as a batting all-rounder at No. 7.
“If you’re fielding a batting all-rounder like Nitish Kumar Reddy, the four remaining bowlers must be wicket-takers. India will have to take significant steps. Defensive decisions are unnecessary. “We are trailing 1-0; now is the time to make courageous and bold decisions that will benefit India,” Karim admitted.
Kuldeep, a left-arm spinner, with 56 wickets at 22.16 average in 13 Tests. Notably, in the 2024 home Tests against England, he took 19 wickets at an average of 20.15.
India should not allow England a comeback chance, says Saba Karim.
Karim also emphasised that the Indian pacers’ performance in the second innings was a significant improvement from the Leeds Test. However, he stressed that India cannot afford to let England back into the game after acquiring an advantage.
“We clearly lost the Test match, but what are the positives for India? Your top and middle order have batted successfully to some extent. They’ve scored five hundreds. Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling has always been fantastic, but Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna delivered far better performances in the second innings,” Karim added.
“The most important lesson would be that when you have an advantage, you cannot afford to give England a chance to recover. We made that mistake twice. We committed the same mistake in both the first and second innings, and I believe the game changed from then,” Karim said.
India
