As India embarks on their five-match Test series in England starting June 20, 2025, the biggest challenge staring them in the face isn’t just Bazball or the swinging Dukes ball—it’s the decision-making process within the team.
The newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir are up against a classic cricketing dilemma: to stick to the tried-and-tested or to take a bolder, counterintuitive approach. That dilemma could define not just this series, but the new era of Indian Test cricket.
India’s Bowling Conundrum: 20 Wickets or Bust
For India, the key to winning Test matches, especially in England, lies in dismissing the opposition twice. And that’s exactly where the problem begins. While the spotlight often falls on the batting order, it’s the bowling unit—especially beyond Jasprit Bumrah—that demands urgent attention.
Bumrah’s numbers speak for themselves. In the previous World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, he took 77 wickets in 28 innings at an astonishing average of 15.1. In comparison, the next best Indian pacer, Mohammed Siraj, picked up 48 wickets in 32 innings with a much higher average of 29.1.
The real concern arises after these two. Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna, though talented, lack both experience and consistency in the Test format. Krishna has only eight wickets from three Tests, while Akash Deep averages over 35 with the ball—numbers that don’t inspire confidence when facing England in their backyard.
What’s more, Bumrah is reportedly set to play no more than three Tests in this series to manage his workload and avoid long-term injury setbacks. This raises a crucial question: who steps up when Bumrah is rested?
Kuldeep Yadav: A Risk Worth Taking?
Amid this uncertainty, Kuldeep Yadav emerges as a bold but potentially game-changing option. Often underused in Tests and overshadowed by the Ashwin-Jadeja spin duo, Kuldeep now has the opportunity to redefine his role and India’s spin strategy.
His recent WTC performance backs his case: 22 wickets in just 10 innings at an average of 23.1—better than both Ashwin and Jadeja in the same period. Even more impressive is his strike rate of 37.4, which is the best in Test history for any spinner with a minimum of 50 wickets.
Kuldeep’s impact isn’t just statistical. His left-arm wrist spin presents a unique challenge for English batters, most of whom struggle against this rare bowling style. Outside of Joe Root, who averages a modest 35.5 against him, English batters like Ben Stokes have been vulnerable, often averaging in the low 20s.
The best part? Kuldeep doesn’t rely on turning tracks. His drift, flight, and subtle variations can deceive even the most aggressive batters, making him ideal for English conditions—even more so under overcast skies where his enhanced revolutions can bring surprising air movement.
Playing Kuldeep as a specialist spinner alongside a three-man pace attack could be India’s best shot at consistently picking 20 wickets. Yes, the batting might appear thin on paper, but it allows the inclusion of six proper batters and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, adding balance to the lineup.
India’s previous reluctance to play Ashwin in England was based on having a reliable fast-bowling battery. This time, the situation demands a rethink. With Bumrah’s limited availability and the drop in quality beyond the first-choice pacers, Kuldeep offers the x-factor India desperately needs.
This isn’t just about tactical planning—it’s a test of character. Whether Gill and Gambhir play it safe or choose the less-travelled path will reflect the identity of this new Indian team.
Final Thoughts
Kuldeep Yadav might not be the obvious choice, but he’s arguably the most logical one. The numbers, the conditions, and India’s current bowling depth all point toward him being a key figure if India are to succeed in this high-stakes Test series.
With the English team banking on flat tracks and aggressive batting, India’s best counter might just be a spinner who thrives on guile, variation, and pressure. This series could be Kuldeep’s breakout moment—and India’s boldest move yet.
Let’s see if Team India has the steel to back instinct over convention. Bring it on!
