India Reels After Headingley Humiliation: Will Bowling Woes Prompt Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion for Second Test?

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)

Following a significant defeat in the first Test at Headingley, the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, faces a challenging path forward. Despite a batting lineup undergoing transition, expectations were high, but the loss has underscored areas needing urgent attention. The bowling attack is under particular scrutiny after failing to defend a substantial total.

In a historic anomaly, this Test marked the first instance in 149 years where a team lost despite recording five centuries. India's total of 835 runs across two innings ranks as the fourth-highest in a Test that ultimately resulted in defeat. The bowlers, therefore, bear significant responsibility for failing to capitalize on the strong batting performance, especially on a Day Five pitch that offered signs of wear.

Jasprit Bumrah, who delivered an exceptional first innings performance taking 5-83, was handled cautiously by the English batsmen in the second innings. However, the supporting bowlers struggled to maintain consistent pressure. Mohammed Siraj lacked consistency, and Prasidh Krishna, while taking five wickets across both innings, conceded runs at a high rate of over six per over. Ravindra Jadeja, the sole spin option, could not replicate his usual dominance on spin-friendly Indian pitches.

Despite the setback, coach Gautam Gambhir hinted at limited changes to the bowling lineup for the second Test in Birmingham. He praised Siraj's experience and acknowledged 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 to give the bowlers time to develop. "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," he added.

Potential Changes to the Squad

Shardul Thakur's position is uncertain despite taking two wickets in the Test, as he bowled only 16 overs and failed to contribute with the bat. While Gambhir highlighted the importance of Shardul's wickets, the need to strengthen the bowling attack remains 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 acknowledged.

Kuldeep Yadav: A Potential Game-Changer?

The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav could provide the wicket-taking edge that India lacked in Headingley. The left-arm wrist spinner had a successful tour of India against England in 2023-24, claiming 19 wickets at an average of 20.14. His ability to trouble batsmen like Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, who performed well in the first Test, could be crucial.

Kuldeep's inclusion, however, is unlikely to replace Ravindra Jadeja, who retains strong support within the team. Captain Shubman Gill expressed satisfaction with Jadeja's performance, and Gambhir emphasized his ability to control the run rate.

If the team management seeks a fourth pace option alongside two spinners, Karun Nair, who scored 0 and 20 in the first Test, might be replaced by batting allrounder Nitish Reddy.

Addressing Late-Order Collapses

India's late-order collapses, resulting in the loss of 13 wickets for 72 runs, significantly impacted the match. Gambhir admitted that an additional 150-200 runs in the first innings could have changed the outcome.

"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 stated. He also pointed out that scores of 471 and 364 should be sufficient to win a Test match in England.

The upcoming Test in Birmingham will reveal whether India will opt for a bold strategy of fielding five specialist bowlers to capitalize on the strong performances of the top order.