Kuldeep Yadav all but confirmed to play the Edgbaston Test

With less than two days to go for the action to hit the floors in Birmingham, India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, provided major updates on the team combination. While not confirming any aspects, ten Doeschate hinted at the likely Playing XI for the next India vs England Test. Heading to Edgbaston for the second fixture of the five-match series, the visitors need to level the scores, with the hosts in a 1-0 lead after the win at Headingley. Moreover, Shubman Gill and his men also have the task of defying the Birmingham curse, where India is yet to win its first Test match.

Ryan ten Doeschate gives major update on India's combination for the Edgbaston Test

Interacting with the media ahead of the Edgbaston Test, Ryan ten Doeschate spoke on crucial elements like the availability of Jasprit Bumrah and playing spinners in the fixture. The Indian assistant coach confirmed that Bumrah is available for selection in the second India vs England Test. However, the management is yet to take the final call on playing the pace spearhead in Birmingham. Moreover, the coach strongly hinted at the possibility of India going with two spinners in the next contest. In a major revelation, ten Doeschate all but confirmed the possible return of Kuldeep Yadav to the playing XI for the second Test.

"There is a very strong chance of playing two spinners. It's just which two we play. All three spinners are bowling very nicely. Washi's batting very nicely. So it's just which combination do we go with? All-rounder spinner or the out-and-out spinner? And obviously, you have to play the bowling all-rounder again. So there are so many different variables," ten Doeschate said.

In the series opener at Headingley, India opted for a solitary spinner in Ravindra Jadeja. However, following a disappointing loss, the management appears inclined to alter the bowling composition. Kuldeep, known for his impressive record against England, is being seriously considered. That said, Washington Sundar is also in contention, and the final choice may ultimately depend on how the team weighs batting depth against bowling potency.

In the first Test, India leaned heavily on Jasprit Bumrah, who stood out with a five-wicket haul in the first innings. But his fellow bowlers failed to match his impact. Shardul Thakur, selected as a pace-bowling all-rounder, had a quiet outing, bowling just 16 overs in total and finishing with figures of 2 for 78, while contributing just 1 and 4 with the bat.

Bringing in Kuldeep would significantly enhance India’s wicket-taking capabilities. The left-arm wrist-spinner boasts a strong record against England with 21 wickets from six Tests at an average of 22.28. He played a vital role in India’s triumph during the home series earlier this year, where he bagged 19 wickets in four matches. However, slotting Kuldeep in might come at the cost of batting depth if it means dropping Thakur.

Washington Sundar presents an alternate option, offering more with the bat but carrying a less threatening bowling profile, particularly in overseas conditions. Ryan ten Doeschate also noted that 21-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is drawing attention. After impressing during the Australia tour, Reddy has been working hard in the nets and remains firmly in the selection radar.

"He's very close to getting a game. Obviously, he was fantastic in Australia, coming into the team and playing the way he did. We just felt, on balance, for the last game, we wanted to go with the bowling all-rounder. We thought Shardul was slightly ahead on the bowling front. We're looking at ways of rejigging the puzzle," the assistant coach said. 

"So we can get a batting all-rounder in. And obviously, Nitish is our premium batting all-rounder at the moment. So I would say it's a very good chance to play this Test," he added.