India have plenty of selection questions heading into the second Test against England, which will commence in Visakhapatnam on Friday, February 2.
Down 1-0 in the five-match series, the hosts have been dealt another blow as Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test. First-choice players in Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Shami are also missing for the two-time World Test Championship finalists.
India has added Washington Sundar to its team, and the off-spinning all-rounder might be a suitable option for Jadeja. Kuldeep Yadav is another possibility, and he might replace Mohammed Siraj. England fielded four spinners in the first Test, and the host team may be tempted to do the same. However, there are limitations to this technique.
Who is a better option for India’s XI in the second Test: Kuldeep Yadav or Mohammed Siraj?
Kuldeep Yadav boost India’s chances in 2nd Test with his guile and form
The first Test at Hyderabad was played on a sporting wicket, and things did not go well for the hosts. England outplayed them in both areas, particularly in the second half of the match.
If history is any indication, the hosts may be tempted to give out a rank turner or two during the next four Tests. That may not be the wisest line of action and would play into the visitors’ hands, but that is the one India has pursued in the past.
If it happens in Vizag, India would undoubtedly choose to play an extra spinner instead of a fast bowler. Kuldeep Yadav will undoubtedly be in contention, given he not only has a strong Test record, but has also been in prolific wicket-taking form recently.
In the first two innings of the series, Siraj bowled only 11 overs. He only produced one wicket-taking opportunity, which Rahul took in the slips, and was the least effective of the five Indian bowlers.
Siraj isn’t the type of bowler who can consistently be dangerous when the ball reverses, therefore India may opt to pitch Kuldeep Yadav, who can bowl at all stages of the innings and spin the ball in both ways.
However, this would leave Jasprit Bumrah as the only pacer. The injury-prone seamer’s workload must be carefully regulated as the tough series progresses, and giving him too much to do may not be the best plan of action.
Rohit Sharma and his teammates would undoubtedly assess the advantages and drawbacks of playing Bumrah as the sole fast bowler, and a lot will depend on the pitch that is delivered in Vizag. If there is adequate turn at all phases, India will be able to comfortably employ their best spearhead in short spurts.
On the whole, it makes sense for Kuldeep Yadav to start ahead of Siraj, who is unlikely to be effective at most times of the Test. The left-arm wrist-spinner will also provide a minor batting boost, but more crucially, his bowling might be an excellent answer to Bazball.
Kuldeep Yadav has been outstanding throughout his Test career, but he has received little opportunities due to India’s trio of spin-bowling all-rounders. Now that a chance has arisen, he must be freed.
