As he questioned the management's dedication to capturing 20 wickets in Test matches, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin placed head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill under scrutiny. It is still unknown what combination the guests will use for the Edgbaston Test following their 0-1 defeat in the five-game series against England. There is an increasing demand for Kuldeep Yadav to be added to the playing XI in order to maximize India's chances of victory.

As the administration attempts to manage his workload, it seems improbable that Jasprit Bumrah will participate in the second Test. The 31-year-old claimed five wickets in 43.4 overs in the first game of the series.

Considering that Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Ravindra Jadeja have not been in excellent form, Kuldeep's importance becomes all the more critical if Bumrah is absent.

In October 2024, Kuldeep participated in his most recent Test match against New Zealand, which India ultimately lost in Bengaluru. Ashwin, who has since retired from international cricket, believes that it is now time for Kuldeep to be included to the playing XI.

"Gambhir and Gill's commitment to taking 20 wickets is a major issue." We'll find out this from this test. Kuldeep gets a look-in if you're really dedicated, Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel.

"Kuldeep Yadav has to play." Kuldeep must play if there isn't much grass. You may drop anyone you like, but Kuldeep must play. Even if he does play, the English tail will not score many runs. Kuldeep would make issues, which would help you win two or three Tests during the series, he continued.

"If Kuldeep takes Shardul Thakur's place..."

Ashwin believes that Kuldeep will be retained in the XI if the management chooses to replace Shardul Thakur with him.

"I would keep Prasidh Krishna if Kuldeep replaces Shardul Thakur, as he demonstrated in the second innings of the first Test that he can perform well when he bowls well," Ashwin stated.

Let's not overlook what Akash Deep is capable of, although I would also consider the left-arm angle of Arshdeep Singh, who is not yet a proven commodity in Test cricket. If Jasprit Bumrah doesn't play, I'm OK with Akash Deep/Arshdeep, he continued.

In response to a question about the possibility of the all-rounder replacing Sai Sudharsan or Karun Nair in the playing XI, Ashwin also stated that the management rates Nitish Kumar Reddy "very highly."

Read Also: Bengals’ Joe Burrow Harassed by Browns Fan, Security Intervenes—Watch the Incident

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!