Most of India's problems in Headingley Test were self-inflicted: Greg Chappell

India were abysmal with their fielding during the first Test against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, Leeds. Yashasvi Jaiswal alone dropped four catches and was taken out of the slip cordon in the second innings.

India lost the first Test by five wickets to go 0-1 down in the five-match series. Experts have identified the lacklustre fielding performance as the primary reason for the defeat. However, former India head coach Greg Chappell feels that the lack of variety in the bowling department is the actual reason behind the crushing loss. He opined that all the Indian seamers, apart from Jasprit Bumrah, have similar qualities, and the lack of unpredictability has made things easier for the England batters.

“As disappointing as the fielding in Headingley was, it was not the main reason India lost the Test. Most of India’s problems were self-inflicted. Perhaps the most expensive error was the no-ball that gave Harry Brook an early life in the second innings," wrote Chappell in his ESPNCricinfo column on Monday, June 30.

“More concerning to me, though, is the lack of variety in the bowling attack. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, India’s seamers are too similar – all right-arm, medium-fast, operating at comparable angles. There is a reason why wickets often fall after a change of bowling. It forces the batter to recalibrate. That variability isn’t available to Shubman Gill with his current crop," he added.

I’d like to see left-armer Arshdeep Singh added to the mix and Kuldeep Yadav: Greg Chappell

Jasprit Bumrah will not be playing more than three Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, as the Indian team management is keeping track of his workload. Chappell feels that Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav could be given opportunities if Bumrah happens to miss out in any game. The former Australia cricketer named Kuldeep as the best wrist-spinner since Shane Warne.

“Without Bumrah, I’d like to see left-armer Arshdeep Singh added to the mix and Kuldeep Yadav, possibly the best wristspinner since Shane Warne, included in the attack. Jadeja is not a front-line spinner in English conditions. If his batting is considered good enough, he can be a support spinner; otherwise, a rethink is necessary. If India are to reverse their fortunes in this series then a better-balanced team is required," added Chappell.

Chappell was also very critical of the Indian bowlers, criticising them for showing inconsistency in their lines and lengths.

“Even with Bumrah in the mix, the rest of the attack has to be more disciplined. I didn’t see two consecutive balls land in a dangerous place. They were either too full, too short or too wide. Bowlers have to work in partnerships as much as batters. All England have to do at present is to see off Bumrah and they know the pressure will go with him. I don’t agree that an extra batter who bowls should be selected as insurance against top-order collapses," Chappell said.

Chappell urged India to trust their top six batters in the side and select bowlers who would be able to take 20 wickets across the two innings in the second Test, which begins on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

“The top six must be trusted to deliver the runs and that the best combination to secure the requisite 20 wickets is available to the captain. The selectors are the ones under pressure now. If batters and bowlers have to be prepared to take risks to score runs and take wickets, they too have to have the courage to take bold decisions," he concluded.