Cricketer-turned-expert Monty Panesar believes India should play an extra spinner in Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test against England in Birmingham, where spin will have a huge say than what was the case in the first Leeds Test. India opted to play a lone spinner in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on a Leeds surface that had not so much help for slow bowlers. The visitors lost the first Test on Tuesday, June 24, by a huge margin of five wickets as the hosts chased down 371 with the help of a stunning century by Ben Duckett.
Despite five visiting batters scoring tons, India could not manage to find regular breakthroughs to dismiss England to less than 371 runs. Jasprit Bumrah had a rare off day in the second innings, and even the ever-consistent Jadeja failed to get a wicket.
"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," Panesar told PTI Videos.
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Monty Panesar effusive in praise of Kuldeep Yadav says he does not need turning tracks
The former England spinner further stated that the Kuldeep can be effective on any surface as he does not need a turning track to take wickets in clusters.
"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," he added.
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Panesar also said that if all-rounder Shardul Thakur is not going to bowl more than 10 overs in an innings, then there is no point in playing him. The 33-year-old was predominantly picked as a batter, to beef up India's lower order. However, he failed to score big in both innings.
"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," Panesar pointed out.
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"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.
