Former India coach and bowling star Anil Kumble believes the team should include Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI if only one pacer is required in the second Test at Vizag.
India lost the inaugural Test by 28 runs after leading by 190 runs in the first innings. However, the home spinners were ineffectual in the face of Ollie Pope’s blistering 196 in the second innings, surrendering 331 runs between the three.
While ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah was India’s outstanding bowler in the match, Mohammed Siraj had minimal influence with 11 wicketless overs.
Speaking with Jio Cinemas, Kumble suggested that team management consider Kuldeep for the diversity he provides if they thought only one pacer is adequate.
“I am not really sure whether you need a fourth spinner,” Kumble said. “But if India feels that they need only one fast bowler then having Kuldeep will certainly help. He will have variations but England will come and do the same things they did in Hyderabad. The wicket could be a turning one and we are expecting the pace to be quicker than this.”
Anil Kumble
A lefty spinner, aged 29, has unfortunately faced exclusion from Test matches. This is a result of the unwavering performance of leading spinners, Ashwin, Jadeja and Patel.
On his recent Test gig against Bangladesh in 2022, Kuldeep netted eight wickets. This tally includes his stunning five-wicket sweep in the initial innings.
“India certainly needs to buckle up with their approach to playing against spin” – Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble urged the Indian hitters to be more confident in their footwork against spin in the second Test against England.
Chasing 231 for victory, the hosts were caught off guard by rookie Tom Hartley, who took 7/62 in a match-winning session. India were bowled out for a meager 202 runs, losing by 28 runs.
“This was slow but it was a good wicket if you applied yourself. India certainly needs to buckle up with their approach to playing against spin because I felt the approach of a couple of batters wasn’t positive and even the footwork wasn’t what you expected.”
Anil Kumble
The former leg-spinner also thought that the English batsmen’ approach had unraveled the Indian spinners, and he asked for improved preparations and more variety in the Vizag Test.
“I also felt that they were certainly rattled by the way England approached their batting and with that, they have to come up with plans, some unconventional ones. They never tried any variations so that’s something I am sure they will be looking to do.”
Anil Kumble
The defeat was India’s first at home with a 100-plus first-innings lead, and Rohit Sharma’s team now faces a difficult challenge to tie the series.
Following a brief turnaround, the action moves to Vizag for the second Test, which begins February 2.