Kuldeep Yadav : India have put in strong performances throughout much of the first four Tests. If they can fine-tune their tactics before the fifth and final match, they still have a solid shot at levelling the series.
Their spirited fightback in the fourth Test against England has kept the series alive. Though India can no longer win the series, a victory at The Oval would result in a draw. That would be a major achievement for Shubman Gill, who’s navigating a tough debut as Test captain. Leading in a five-match series away from home is no small task, especially in conditions that are traditionally challenging for Indian teams. His batting has been outstanding, and the experience will only sharpen his captaincy going forward.
Looking back, Gill might rue some missed opportunities and key tactical decisions—moments that could’ve seen India ahead 2-1, securing a series draw at the very least.
The Kuldeep Conundrum
After their heroic centuries under pressure in the fourth Test, both Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have almost locked their spots in the XI. Their composure on a turning fifth-day pitch proved they belong. But this success complicates India’s selection dilemma: what about Kuldeep Yadav?
Kuldeep Yadav is a rare breed—a left-arm wrist-spinner—with excellent control and flight. His record is impressive: 56 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 22.2 and a strike rate of 37.3. Yet, he’s only played those 13 Tests over eight years, stuck behind legends like R Ashwin and Jadeja.
That’s the past, though. What matters now is whether India’s bowling becomes more potent with Kuldeep in the mix. If the answer is yes, he must be included.
Rather than dropping Jadeja or Sundar, India might consider sacrificing a pace bowler to make room for Kuldeep. While it may seem unorthodox to field three spinners in a Test in England, India’s third and fourth pacers haven’t been effective. Even with Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep available, India could strengthen their spin attack without weakening the team—especially since both Jadeja and Sundar contribute heavily with the bat.
Of course, this only makes sense if the pitch at The Oval isn’t too green and seamer-friendly. On a neutral or spin-assisting surface, the three-spinner approach could work well.
Middle Order Decisions
India also need to make a call at No. 3—between Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Both have performed decently, but there’s likely only room for one.
The top-order’s inconsistency has influenced India’s team balance, with more emphasis on batting depth. However, prioritizing batting ability at No. 8 hasn’t yielded major benefits. Bowlers win Tests, and a strong wicket-taking option at No. 8 can be more impactful than a lower-order batter.
Take Shardul Thakur, for instance—he’s played two of the four Tests but bowled just 27 overs in total. That’s neither fair to him nor useful to the team.
Coach Gautam Gambhir prefers all-round depth, but in Tests, that strategy only works if the player is consistently effective in at least one discipline. Sacrificing a few runs for a superior bowler may, in fact, give India a better shot at controlling England’s aggressive batting line-up.
Looking Ahead
Despite being 2-1 down, India have played quality cricket across the first four matches. With better tactical calls and smarter selections, they still have every chance to end the series on even terms.