As India prepares for the first Test against England, starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds, the selection of the playing XI is a topic of intense debate. With a relatively inexperienced squad following the retirements of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, captain Shubman Gill faces critical decisions to balance the team for the challenging English conditions. One of the most compelling discussions centers on whether to include wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav or seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur. This article argues why Kuldeep Yadav should be preferred over Shardul Thakur for India’s XI in the first Test, drawing on their recent performances, the expected conditions, and tactical considerations.
The Context: India’s Squad and the Headingley Challenge
The Indian squad for the England series blends youth and experience, with Shubman Gill leading a side featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and others. The absence of seasoned players has placed a premium on selecting a balanced XI that can exploit the conditions at Headingley, a venue known for its pace-friendly pitches but also offering opportunities for spinners, especially in the second innings when the pitch wears and rough patches develop. With India likely to field three pacers—Bumrah, Siraj, and Arshdeep—the question is whether the team needs an additional seamer like Thakur or a specialist spinner like Kuldeep to complement Jadeja.
Kuldeep Yadav: The Wrist-Spin X-Factor
Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, brings a unique dimension to India’s bowling attack. His unorthodox bowling style, combining sharp turn, drift, and deceptive variations, makes him a potent weapon, particularly against England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach. Here are the key reasons why Kuldeep should be included in the XI:
1. Variety in the Bowling Attack
India’s pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj, and Arshdeep provides a formidable seam attack, capable of exploiting Headingley’s early moisture and swing-friendly conditions. However, relying solely on pace could limit India’s options, especially if the pitch flattens out or if England’s batters counterattack aggressively. Kuldeep’s wrist-spin adds variety, offering a different challenge that England’s batters, including Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Harry Brook, have historically struggled to read. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun highlighted Kuldeep’s potential, drawing parallels with Shane Warne’s success in England, noting that wrist-spinners can exploit damp wickets early and rough patches later in the match.
Kuldeep’s ability to turn the ball both ways and generate bounce makes him particularly effective against England’s right-handed batters. His googly, often difficult to pick from the hand, could unsettle players like Root, who, despite his prowess against spin, has been troubled by wrist-spinners in the past. With Ravindra Jadeja likely to play as the primary spinner and all-rounder, Kuldeep’s inclusion ensures India have two distinct spin threats, preventing England from settling into a rhythm against a predictable bowling attack.
2. Proven Impact in Test Cricket
Kuldeep has played 8 Test matches, taking 34 wickets at an average of around 22, showcasing his ability to be a match-winner. His last Test appearance was against New Zealand in 2024, where he demonstrated his knack for breaking partnerships and turning games with his variations. Despite a groin injury sidelining him temporarily, Kuldeep has returned to form, and his performances in white-ball cricket, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, underline his wicket-taking prowess. In contrast, Shardul Thakur has struggled in recent India A games, taking only 2 wickets in two matches, raising questions about his current bowling form.
Kuldeep’s record in overseas conditions, though limited, shows promise. His ability to exploit flat tracks, as noted by Inside Sport India, gives him an edge in situations where seamers may struggle after the initial burst. At Headingley, where the pitch can deteriorate and offer turn in the latter stages, Kuldeep’s wrist-spin could be decisive in the second innings, especially against England’s aggressive batting lineup.
3. Countering England’s Bazball Approach
England’s “Bazball” strategy, characterized by fearless and attacking batting, has redefined Test cricket. To counter this, India needs bowlers who can disrupt the rhythm of England’s batters. Kuldeep’s unpredictable spin, as endorsed by Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, is ideal for this purpose. Ashwin argued that unless the pitch is an “absolute green belt,” India should not play without Kuldeep, emphasizing his “Kul-Ball” as a direct counter to Bazball. Kuldeep’s ability to bowl attacking lengths, tempting batters to drive or loft, could lead to mistakes, especially on a pitch that may offer variable bounce.
In contrast, Shardul Thakur’s medium-pace seam bowling, while occasionally effective, lacks the same element of surprise. His recent performances suggest he is unlikely to be a consistent wicket-taker in conditions favoring faster bowlers like Bumrah and Siraj. Moreover, Shardul’s bowling economy can be erratic, which could be a liability against England’s aggressive approach.
4. Tactical Flexibility in Bowling Combinations
Including Kuldeep allows India to field five bowlers—three pacers, Jadeja, and Kuldeep—without compromising on batting depth. With Rishabh Pant at No. 6 and Jadeja at No. 7, India’s batting remains robust, reducing the need for Shardul’s lower-order contributions. Former India all-rounder Madan Lal suggested that India’s attack would be more balanced with two spinners and three pacers, a combination that Kuldeep’s inclusion facilitates. This setup allows India to manage bowler workloads effectively, as Bumrah is not expected to play all five Tests, and Kuldeep can shoulder significant overs on flatter pitches.
Shardul Thakur: The Case for the All-Rounder
Shardul Thakur, a seam-bowling all-rounder, has been a valuable asset for India in the past, particularly in overseas conditions. His inclusion in the squad for the England series reflects his experience and ability to contribute with both bat and ball. However, several factors suggest he may not be the best fit for the first Test at Headingley.
1. Limited Bowling Impact in Recent Games
Shardul’s recent form in India A games has been underwhelming, with only 2 wickets in two matches. This lack of potency raises concerns about his ability to make an impact against England’s strong batting lineup. While Shardul has a reputation as a partnership-breaker, his overall wicket-taking ability in Tests (31 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 34) is less impressive than Kuldeep’s. In conditions favoring pace, India’s primary seamers—Bumrah, Siraj, and Arshdeep—are likely to carry the bulk of the bowling load, reducing the need for an additional seamer whose recent form is questionable.
2. Batting Depth vs. Bowling Strength
Shardul’s primary strength as an all-rounder is his ability to contribute lower-order runs, as seen in his gritty performances during India’s 2021 England tour. However, with India’s batting lineup already featuring Pant, Jadeja, and potentially Nitish Reddy or Dhruv Jurel, the need for additional batting depth is less pressing. A post on X by user @sandeep_bamzai echoed this sentiment, arguing that both Shardul and Nitish Reddy have underperformed in preparatory games, and India should prioritize a bowler like Kuldeep who can take wickets.
In contrast, Kuldeep’s batting is less reliable, but his inclusion does not significantly weaken the lineup. Jadeja’s all-round abilities and Pant’s explosive batting provide sufficient cushion, allowing India to prioritize bowling variety over marginal batting gains from Shardul.
3. Conditions at Headingley
Headingley’s pitch typically favors seamers early on, but as the match progresses, spinners can come into play, especially if rough patches develop. Bharat Arun emphasized that wrist-spinners like Kuldeep can exploit these conditions, using the rough to generate extra turn and bounce.
