Table of Contents
The much-anticipated second Test of the England-India series kicked off at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on July 2, 2025. After England’s thrilling win at Headingley, where they chased a record 371 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, India face immense pressure to bounce back. The series scenario has put the spotlight on India’s bowling attack, which struggled to contain England’s aggressive batting in the first Test.
As India prepared their playing XI for the second Test, the exclusion of left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav ignited fierce debate and fan backlash, with former cricketer Mohammad Kaif vocally criticizing the decision and urging the team management to give Kuldeep a fair chance.
Kuldeep Yadav gets excluded from India’s playing XI for 2nd Test
Kuldeep’s Test career has been marked by sporadic opportunities but impressive performances. Since his debut in 2017, Kuldeep has played only 13 Tests, a limited run largely due to the presence of Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired. Despite the limited chances, Kuldeep boasts a remarkable record of 56 wickets at an average of 22.16 and a strike rate of 37.3, highlighting his effectiveness as a strike bowler. His unique left-arm wristspin offers a different dimension to India’s bowling attack, especially on pitches like Edgbaston that tend to assist spinners as the match progresses.
Former cricketer Kaif has been outspoken on social media, calling Kuldeep’s continued exclusion “unfair” and questioning how the team management justifies leaving out a proven wicket-taker when the second spinner’s spot is wide open after Ashwin’s retirement. Kaif’s criticism reflects a broader concern among fans and cricket experts that India’s current strategy favors “illusionary all-rounders” over genuine bowlers who can take wickets and control the game.
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar also echoed this sentiment, warning that including multiple batting all-rounders instead of a specialist like Kuldeep weakens India’s bowling potency against England’s aggressive “Bazball” style. This debate intensified as Kuldeep was again left out of the playing XI for the Edgbaston Test, with Washington Sundar preferred for his batting contributions despite Kuldeep’s superior bowling credentials.
It will be unfair if Kuldeep Yadav doesn't get into the playing XI for second Test. He has just played 13 Tests in 8 years. Earlier he was kept out because of Ashwin now how do you justify his exclusion.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Fans troll Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill for not picking Kuldeep
India’s playing XI for the second Test saw some notable changes, particularly in the bowling department. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for workload management, the team management opted for a combination that included Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar as spin options, alongside pace bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Nitish Kumar Reddy was also brought in, replacing Shardul Thakur, to strengthen the batting depth and all-round capabilities. This selection reflects a cautious approach by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, who seem to prioritize batting depth and all-round balance over a specialist spinner like Kuldeep.
However, this decision has not gone down well with fans and former players alike. Social media was abuzz with criticism directed at Gambhir and Gill for denying Kuldeep a deserved spot despite his proven match-winning potential. Fans expressed frustration that Kuldeep’s talent is being overlooked in favor of players who offer less with the ball, which could be detrimental to India’s chances of turning the series around at Edgbaston.
Here’s how fans reacted:
No Kuldeep… c'mon😑
— Dipanjan Chatterjee (@I_am_DipCh)
India scored 835 runs in first Test, couldn’t take 20 wickets and have now decided to rest the No 1 fast bowler in the world and drop their main wicket taking spinner. Madness in playing XI selection these days.
— Sumit Ghosh (@SumitG71)
Sorry to say but Shubhman Gill is captain only on paper. Game koi aur khel raha hai.
— Taus Rizvi (@rizvitaus)
This is not KKR…..this is the team India….yar ab bas kro
— Cricket addict (@Cricketadd75277)
🗣️ Shubman Gill explains Kuldeep Yadav's exclusion
“We were very tempted to play him (Kuldeep), but looking at the last match, the lower order didn’t contribute much with the bat.” – Shubman Gill at the toss.
— Sitarah Anjum Official (@SitarahAnjum)
Gill says, “we’re here to take 20 wickets.”
Then India leaves out Kuldeep and packs in batting depth.You can’t take 20 without picking wicket-takers. Simple.
— Shantanu Joshi (@theJoshiWay)
Playing Washi in place of Kuldeep is just so defensive. A batter can get out 1st ball and has little to contribute but even if a bowler has a bad spell, he can come back stronger.
— YelloveSniper (@Rockybhai149)
I think this Indian TEAM MANAGEMENT COMPLETELY COWARD
THIS EDGBASTON Why you not included ?
Specially when not playingTeam India 🇮🇳 already struggling to get a twent wickets.
Why u so defensive.
GG is not a TEST Coach.
— sports news (@CricUniverse7)
The team selection of Gautam Gambhir sucks big time. No polite way to put it.
Pathetic, no Kuldeep Yadav. The guy has played County and is decent with the bat.
He played 2 spinners and even then no place for .— Pulkit Sharma (@Pulkits77)
India’s spin attack feels complete when Kuldeep’s on song.
Loop. Drift. Turn. Deception.
He’s an art form. 🎨— Vikash Kumar Sinha (@vikashaps)
Also READ: Top 5 highest ever team totals in County Cricket history ft. Surrey
