The ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between England and India has already delivered a thrilling start, with England clinching a five-wicket victory in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, on June 25, 2025. As the cricketing caravan moves to Edgbaston, Birmingham, for the second Test starting July 2, 2025, India face the challenge of leveling the series against a confident English side led by Ben Stokes. One of the most discussed topics ahead of this crucial match is the potential inclusion of Arshdeep Singh in India’s playing XI, especially with reports suggesting that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah may be rested due to workload management. Arshdeep, a left-arm pacer with a proven track record in shorter formats, is yet to make his Test debut but presents a strong case for inclusion. Here, we explore two compelling reasons why Arshdeep Singh should feature in India’s lineup for the second Test against England: his ability to swing the ball in English conditions and the tactical advantage of his left-arm bowling angle.
Arshdeep’s Swing Bowling in English Conditions
England’s pitches, particularly in early summer, are renowned for offering swing and seam movement, especially under overcast skies. The Edgbaston pitch, while known to flatten out as the match progresses, often provides assistance to swing bowlers in the initial days. Arshdeep Singh, with his ability to swing the ball both ways, is ideally suited to exploit these conditions and bolster India’s bowling attack, which struggled for consistency outside of Jasprit Bumrah in the first Test.
Arshdeep’s swing bowling credentials are well-established. His performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where he claimed 21 wickets in 17 matches, showcased his ability to generate movement, particularly with the new ball. His height advantage—standing at over six feet—allows him to extract bounce, which is particularly effective on English pitches that offer variable bounce, as seen in the first Test at Headingley. Former England pacer Stuart Broad, analyzing India’s defeat in Leeds, emphasized the need for variety in India’s bowling attack and specifically highlighted Arshdeep’s swing as a potential game-changer: “If Bumrah is going to be rested at Edgbaston, I’d be tempted to bring in Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm angle and his ability to swing the ball early on could offer something different to India’s bowling attack.”
Moreover, Arshdeep’s experience in English conditions adds significant weight to his case. Having played for Kent in the County Championship, where Headingley is a home venue, Arshdeep is familiar with the nuances of bowling in England’s seaming conditions. His stint with Kent provided him with valuable exposure to pitches that assist swing and seam, and he demonstrated an ability to adapt his lengths and exploit overcast conditions. This experience is critical, as India’s pace attack, barring Bumrah’s five-wicket haul in the first innings at Leeds, lacked penetration. Bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur struggled to maintain consistent pressure, with England’s batsmen, particularly Ben Duckett (149 off 170 balls in the second innings), capitalizing on predictable lines and lengths. Arshdeep’s ability to swing the ball both ways—especially his late outswing to right-handers—could unsettle England’s predominantly right-handed top order, including players like Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, who thrive against pace bowling that lacks variation.
The Edgbaston Test, starting on July 2, is expected to offer early assistance to pacers due to the fresh pitch and Birmingham’s typically humid conditions. Arshdeep’s knack for generating reverse swing, honed in T20 cricket, could also prove valuable in the middle overs, particularly against England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, which relies on attacking strokeplay to dominate bowling attacks. His inclusion would allow India to exploit the new ball effectively and maintain pressure during England’s middle order, where players like Joe Root and Ben Stokes are adept at building innings. By introducing Arshdeep, India can address the lack of wicket-taking threat that Broad noted in the first Test, ensuring a more balanced and potent bowling unit.
The Tactical Advantage of Left-Arm Variety
India’s pace attack in the first Test—comprising Bumrah, Siraj, Krishna, and Thakur—was entirely right-arm, offering little variety to challenge England’s batsmen. The introduction of Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm pacer, would provide a crucial tactical edge by altering angles and creating discomfort for England’s batting lineup. The left-arm angle is particularly effective against right-handed batsmen, as it forces them to adjust their footwork and shot selection, especially against deliveries swinging away or angling across.
England’s top order, featuring right-handers like Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root, has shown vulnerability to left-arm pace in the past. The different angle of attack disrupts their natural game, as the ball moves away from a line that right-arm bowlers typically deliver. Arshdeep’s ability to bowl from wide of the crease enhances this advantage, as he can create awkward angles that make it difficult for batsmen to line up the ball. His experience in T20Is, where he is India’s leading wicket-taker and played a pivotal role in the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, demonstrates his ability to adapt to high-pressure situations and execute plans against aggressive batsmen. His T20 skills, particularly in run containment and death bowling, translate well to Test cricket’s demand for control, especially against England’s attacking style under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
Posts on X have echoed this sentiment, with fans and analysts advocating for Arshdeep’s inclusion to add variety. One user noted, “Same line, same angle, every time. That’s why Arshdeep Singh matters. As Agarkar said, he’s tall, swings it, has County experience, and adds the left-arm variety we badly need in England.” Another suggested replacing Siraj or Krishna with Arshdeep to address the lack of wickets in the first Test. This public sentiment aligns with expert opinions, such as Broad’s, who emphasized that India’s bowling lacked the “variety and penetration needed to close out the game” in Leeds.
Arshdeep’s left-arm angle also complements India’s spin options, particularly if wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav is included, as suggested by Broad and ESPNcricinfo. The combination of a left-arm pacer and a wristspinner could create a dynamic attack capable of exploiting Edgbaston’s conditions, where spin tends to play a role later in the match. Arshdeep’s ability to bowl tight lines early on would allow India to build pressure, setting up opportunities for spinners like Kuldeep or Ravindra Jadeja to attack with turn and bounce. This variety is critical against England’s “Bazball” philosophy, which thrives on unsettling predictable bowling attacks.
Furthermore, Arshdeep’s inclusion addresses India’s need to rectify selection errors from the first Test. The decision to bench Arshdeep in Leeds, despite his County experience, was questioned, as India’s pacers struggled to adapt to the conditions. With Bumrah potentially rested, Arshdeep becomes the frontrunner to replace him, ahead of Akash Deep, due to his unique left-arm angle and proven swing bowling. His debut would also signal India’s intent to adapt tactically, moving away from the conservative selections that cost them in Leeds. As India aim to avoid falling 2-0 behind in the series, Arshdeep’s fresh approach and untested threat in Test cricket could catch England off guard, particularly in a venue where India have yet to win a Test match.
Looking Ahead
India’s defeat in the first Test at Headingley exposed vulnerabilities in their bowling attack, particularly the lack of variety and penetration beyond Jasprit Bumrah. Arshdeep Singh’s inclusion in the second Test at Edgbaston offers a solution to these issues. His ability to swing the ball in English conditions, backed by his County experience with Kent, makes him a potent weapon to exploit the early movement at Edgbaston. Additionally, his left-arm angle introduces a tactical advantage that can disrupt England’s right-handed batsmen and complement India’s spin options. With experts like Stuart Broad and fans on X advocating for his debut, Arshdeep represents a bold and necessary selection to strengthen India’s chances of leveling the series. As Shubman Gill’s team prepares for a must-win encounter, Arshdeep Singh’s swing and variety could be the key to unlocking England’s batting and setting the stage for a thrilling comeback.
