ENG vs IND 2025: Monty Panesar advocates for Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in second Test
Ravindra Jadeja was the sole spinner India played in the series opener at Headingley.
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Former English spinner, Monty Panesar, felt star spinner Kuldeep Yadav should be incorporated into India's XI in their second Test against England during the ongoing five-match series. He justified Edgbaston's relatively spin-friendly nature for Kuldeep to be included in the mix, especially after the five-wicket loss India faced at the Headingley.
Referencing Kuldeep's IPL 2025 performance for Delhi Capitals (15 wickets in 13 innings at an economy rate of only 7.07), Panesar emphasised the unorthodox spinner's ability to trouble batters even if the pitch provides minimal returns for the ball to turn.
"At Edgbaston, India could probably play (Ravindra) Jadeja and could actually go for the X-factor spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. We know that the Edgbaston wicket does turn a little bit. So, you have that bit of an X-factor, which I think would be a better option. There's something about him. He doesn't need turning tracks. This IPL showed that even without exaggerated turn, he can bowl tough lines that make life difficult for batters," stated Panesar, as quoted by The Hindu.
The former English spinner felt Kuldeep could replace either Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja in the XI as he is slower through the air than the senior Jadeja and also has that X-factor in him to thrive on pitches where the conditions are favourable.
"If Shardul Thakur is only going to bowl six to eight overs and not give you 15 overs in the day, there's no point in playing him. I think they need to play Kuldeep because he has more of an X factor. There's something about him. Jadeja bowls too quickly. So I think, yeah, they need to bring in Kuldeep Yadav instead of Jadeja. He becomes the main attacking option," he added.
Jadeja can be the defensive guy and Kuldeep will be the attacking guy: Panesar
However, Panesar quickly scrapped the thought that India would actually go ahead with playing only one spinner in their line-up. He felt they could proceed with replacing Kuldeep with Shardul.
"I just think India won't go with that because India likes a defensive spinner. And they can then use Kuldeep because Kuldeep can't defend. He only attacks. So, if he goes the distance, then they're in deep trouble. So, I think they will probably play two spinners. Jadeja can then be the defensive guy. And then Kuldeep will be the attacking guy," remarked the ex-cricketer.
Gavaskar's suggestion to Indian team after Headingley defeat
As Monty mentioned, Edgbaston indeed is one of those English tracks which has been quite decent for spinners in the past. In Tests since 2010, spinners have secured 78 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 40.02, which is much better compared to other venues.