Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Kuldeep Yadav’s selection in the second Test match against England. India lost the opening Test at Leeds, Headingley by five wickets despite dominating the majority of the game.

Singh reckons Kuldeep would be the wicket-taking option for India. The visitors relied heavily on Jasprit Bumrah’s shoulders in the first Test and it is to be seen whether India’s pack leader would play the second game or not.

Ravindra Jadeja was backed as a spin-bowling all-rounder in the team but the left-hander could only manage 36 runs across both innings and took a solitary wicket in the second innings.

Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube Channel, “The pressure is now on India because when you trail 0-1, you need to learn and move ahead. I feel Kuldeep Yadav should get a game in the next game. If he comes into the XI, India will have more wicket-taking options.”

Shardul Thakur also failed to deliver the goods as he returned with scores of 1 and 4 and managed two wickets in the second innings.

“Now who does he replace? Shardul Thakur? I had said that he needs to bowl more but he was brought into the attack when England needed some 100-120 runs. He deserves a proper opportunity. If you consider him a batter who can bowl a bit, that’s incorrect. He’s a bowler who can bat a bit.”

Singh added India missed an opportunity to win the opening Test despite posting 471 runs on the board.

“This improvement must be made in the next Test. Otherwise, like I said, this is a tour of England at the end of the day. Many strong and big teams have failed to win here. If you play in a way that you get 450 runs in the first innings, and the lose, I feel it’s an opportunity missed,” said Harbhajan.

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