Aakash Chopra suggests changes to India’s bowling lineup for 2nd Test vs England, says it would ‘travesty’ if visitors don’t play Kuldeep Yadav

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on India’s bowling line-up for the second Test match against England. According to reports, India is going to back Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as the two spinners along with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is expected to replace Shardul Thakur in the playing XI. Chopra reckons it will be a travesty if India decides to play Washington Sundar ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. 

In the opening Test, Ravindra Jadeja played as the solitary spinner but could only take one wicket in the second innings.

Meanwhile, Yadav has scalped 56 wickets in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 22.16. Against England, Kuldeep has bagged 21 wickets in six Test matches at an impressive average of 22.28.

“As per reports from Edgbaston, only two fast bowlers will play, who will be Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj. Two spinners will play, in which Ravindra Jadeja is confirmed, and there are extremely bright chances of Washington Sundar playing, and Nitish Kumar Reddy can play in place of Shardul Thakur, which means Nitish at No. 7, Jadeja at No. 8, and it could be possibly Washington at No. 9,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Is it a good thought process? I concur slightly less with it. I feel you should play Kuldeep Yadav, and if you are still unable to play Kuldeep Yadav, it will be an absolute travesty. If we are going towards Washi, and just with the thinking that who bats better, then we are just barking at the wrong tree,” he added.

The renowned commentator added it won’t be the right call to leave out Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI.

“We might take 20 wickets and win the match, but we won’t do right in terms of philosophy. If we are still unable to show the courage to play Kuldeep, then this team is going in a slightly different direction, which is perhaps not the right direction. We got burnt in BGT,” he said.

Chopra urged the think tank to back Nitish Kumar Reddy at number six in the batting order and not number seven.

“So, if we are not learning from that too, when will we learn? Nitish Kumar Reddy was in my original team, but as a batter at No. 6. To bat at No. 7, it’s too low, and then Jadeja at No. 8. After that, at least, don’t think about playing a spinner who bats better, and if we compare spin to spin and see so many right-handers in the opposition, Kuldeep Yadav is a no-brainer,” Chopra observed.

The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.