ENG vs IND: Monty Panesar backs Kuldeep Yadav’s selection for second Test

Former England spinner Monty Panesar suggested Team India include Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test match of the ongoing five-match Test series. After suffering a heartbreaking defeat in Headingley, the team management of India should consider some shuffle in their playing combination, opined Panesar.

The former international shouts for Kuldeep Yadav to consider him for the second Test, which is scheduled to happen in Edgbaston. Unlike Headingley, the surface of Edgbaston is known for spin-friendly behavior. Keeping that character of the wicket in mind, Panesar wants to see Yadav playing the next assignment.

"At Edgbaston, India could probably play (Ravindra) Jadeja and could actually go for the X-factor spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. We know that the Edgbaston wicket does turn a little bit. So, you have that bit of an X-factor, which I think would be a better option. There's something about him. He doesn't need turning tracks. This IPL showed that even without exaggerated turn, he can bowl tough lines that make life difficult for batters," Panesar stated in a media conversation.

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During the conversation, the former spinner also reminded them of the numbers Kuldeep produced in the IPL 2025, which were 15 wickets in 13 innings at an economy rate of only 7.07. If India wants to include Yadav, then who'll they exclude? Pansera was a little bit skeptical about that. But, in the end, he opted for the double spinner strategy, Ravindra Jadeja with Kuldeep Yadav, Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur."

The ex-cricketer was sceptical about team selection 

"If Shardul Thakur is only going to bowl six to eight overs and not give you 15 overs in the day, there's no point in playing him. I think they need to play Kuldeep because he has more of an X factor. There's something about him. Jadeja bowls too quickly. So I think, yeah, they need to bring in Kuldeep Yadav instead of Jadeja. He becomes the main attacking option," he said. 

"I just think India won't go with that because India likes a defensive spinner. And they can then use Kuldeep because Kuldeep can't defend. He only attacks. So, if he goes the distance, then they're in deep trouble. So, I think they will probably play two spinners. Jadeja can then be the defensive guy. And then Kuldeep will be the attacking guy."