India's hesitancy to include Kuldeep Yadav in their starting XI for the first Test against England at Headingley has reignited a strategic discussion. Sanjay Manjrekar, a former cricketer and pundit, has given a scathing critique of the team's all-rounder strategy. India chose to leave Kuldeep out of the lineup, opting for a combination that placed a greater emphasis on batting depth with the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur, even though England is known for being vulnerable to high-quality spin.

Since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia last year, when the Indian team frequently relied on the likes of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, or Jadeja, and sometimes two of them, to offer a stronger lower-order batting core, this choice is in line with the way India has approached things. Manjrekar thinks India is being caught in a snare of "illusory all-rounders," players whose presence inspires confidence in the batting lineup but who may lack the sharpness required with the ball, even if this may have made sense in Australian circumstances that called for pace-heavy attacks.

Manjrekar has urged India to reconsider their strategy and introduce Kuldeep into the lineup at Edgbaston in order to counter a Bazball-inspired England team that excels in momentum and attack.

I refer to the illusionary all-rounders as having a pleasant and comforting feel. Before reality hits on the face, it simply feels better to have them on the team. People have such negative opinions of Kuldeep Yadav, which is regrettable given that it all transpired in Australia, Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

"You don't truly understand how a pure bowler or wicket-taker like Kuldeep Yadav gives the team that kind of advantage. Kuldeep is a difficult bowler for many English batsmen to face in that manner of cricket, which is known as Bazball.

"If you have an outstanding wicket-taker... if he gets you four wickets, you get 150 runs less on the opposition's score. You can't select someone for their batting prowess if they aren't a wicket-taker since they could only get you 1-2 wickets and will never score you less than 150 runs.

Dependable spin option

Over the past year, the wrist spinner has developed into a far more dependable Test option and demonstrated the capacity to generate a sharp turn even in conditions that are favorable for pace. His ability to slow down the pace and apply pressure with wicket-taking deliveries might be precisely what India needs to disrupt England's rhythm.

Jasprit Bumrah was the only member of India's bowling attack in Leeds who was able to consistently maintain control. The need for a front-line spinner is exacerbated by concerns about Bumrah's availability for the second Test because of workload management.

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