1. The Leeds standstill – India’s Test crisis began
India’s summer tour of England started to wobble from the outset at Leeds (Headingley), with a five-wicket loss in the first Test. India comparatively, posted a decent score in their first innings, but they allowed England to chase 371 at a rate of knickering ease on Day 5.
We cannot stress enough that outside of Jasprit Bumrah, India did not seem to create pressure on the English batters. Sure Bumrah took five wickets in the first innings (with nil in the chase), and it would be harmful to ignore the dropped catches off his bowling. But we cannot overlook the tinder box collapse of the lower order (even for a lower order) for just 65 runs when they were needed most.
This wasn’t just another loss. What this presented, open discussion, were some weighty issues i.e with inconsistencies in support pace & fields being executed, and letting a game build to its end still with intent and not just peace-keeping. Outside of Bumrah, India’s bowlers were dangerously expensive and the top-order batters, although capable set play, were unable to apply match-winning returns of momentum. In summary, Headingley drove home the point India are going to need top performers to perform but they need some willing idiots to not care and when its pasta vuelta, when you have to bundle together.
2. What India could do to accomplish differently at Edgbaston
a) Revisiting the bowling plan
The wickets at Edgbaston usually offer seam movement early and assist spin later on. A cautious and flexible approach may help India’s cause. Initially, pace should lead the attack—Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and perhaps Arshdeep Singh or Akash Deep—taking advantage of the seam. Former player Irfan Pathan has pointed out Akash Deep could replace Bumrah if he is rested: his style, upright seam and swing, might be more suitable for the conditions, compared to the slab-heavy play of Siraj/Krishna.
After Day 3-5 the plan should swap: Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav replace the traditional batsman to drive through the wickets with spin, especially if the pitch is breaking down. Shubman Gill even pointed to a “second spinner” as a useful weapon on this type of pitch.
b) Bolster batting around stability and temperament
After Leeds, India wants partnerships and patience at the crease. With Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy likely replacing Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur, India is signalling with these selections an explicit lean towards cool, lower-order batting. Elevating Karun Nair to No. 3 ensures the classical technique, whilst preserving Ravindra Jadeja’s all-rounder ability. With protected, set batters, acceleration will only happen when the situation becomes clear.
c) Fielding standard and catching mindset
Leeds’ missed chances, particularly from Bumrah, highlighted the importance of sharp catching skills. Edgbaston’s small size may mean you might be receiving a near caught and bowled, an easier caught & bowled, or even just a one handed stunner. All the while it has to be understood that keen slip catching drills will need slick awareness of slip catch action, and even boundaries need to be football dribbled too!
d) Tactical In-Play Capitancy
Captain Shubman Gill will need to have the players acknowledge their clearly defined tactical roles. As first-change will you rotate pace fairly, will you rotate spin at the clearly optimum times, will you manage meaningful communicationally with the tail, whilst remaining calm in the process? You will have to be aware of conditions – as Edgbaston is well known for conditions changing at blitz pace and rain interruptions can shift game momentum.
3. The Bumrah saga – rest or risk?
The largest talking point is Jasprit Bumrah’s availability. He is fit and available, however, India’s leadership has been coy about playing him, pointing to:
• Workload Management – He is only on schedule to play three of the five Tests.
• Upcoming fixtures – The third Test (at Lord’s) is soon, resting him may preserve freshness for that match.
• Balance – Playing him means sacrificing extra batting or spin – a tactical dilemma.
Gill said Bumrah is “definitely available … final call will be made after seeing the pitch”. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate echoed similar sentiments.
Retired opener Aakash Chopra took issue with this ambiguity: “If Bumrah is available, … play him. What are we waiting for.”,
Former batter, Irfan Pathan stated that if Bumrah is rested, Akash Deep is the logical choice given his understanding of English conditions. Both sides could be correct, however, fans will hope the final decision is for aggressive selection – not reactive conservation.
4. Projected Playing XI & Bench Strength
Discussions on the probable playing XI, India could field as follows:
Role Probable XI
Openers KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal
No.3 Sai Sudarshan,
Middle order Shubhman Gill (c), Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant (wk)
All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar
Pace attack Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah (If Available) Arshdeep Singh/Akash Deep
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav (if pitch calls for spin, otherwise Washington Sundar)
Back-up options – Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy – selected not as players but as technically sound batsmen, if early wickets fall.
If Bumrah plays, the balance could shift back towards seam (and therefore, Washington Sundar or Kuldeep) depending on how the surface looks.
5. Important aspects to look out for
1. Opening overs: Will the pace expose some early wickets? An aggressive start could rattle England’s top order.
2. Middle-phase transitions: How will India counter the Baz-ball momentum of England, particularly with Duckett & Crawley with some form?
3. How the spin and seam balance is used: This looks a spinner’s pitch at Edgbaston, providing control later on, and India’s selected balance will be determined by the toss and pitch inspection
4. Fitness and work-rate: A point to investigate will be whether Bumrah, if selected, is bowling at 100% or is holding back.
5. Catching and boundary-fielding corrections: India has to improve catching and ground fields on the back of the lapses of Leeds.
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FINAL RULING: Where does India go from here?
• If Bumrah is fit, play – England come hard in the chase and you cannot go in to the match with anything other than your best bowlers.
• If Bumrah takes a rest, play Akash Deep – he is a seam bowler who should perform well on the Edgbaston pitch at the start of innings.
• Play two spinners (Washington/Kuldeep) plus Jadeja, to make sure you have control during the mid- to late-innings.
• Most of all pack the bowlers with technical batters (Karun Nair, Sundar) to mitigate England’s threshold attacks.
• Sharpen the fielding drill work, if nothing else this should be a priority in the slip cordon.
A careful and flexible process that combines early aggression with careful middle-phase controlling, with sharp fielding will be enough for Edgbaston to fall in India’s favour.
To wrap up…
India must rebound after the Leeds disappointment. Tactical clarity—especially around Bumrah—paired with strategic XI decisions, disciplined bowling, and improved fielding, could bring a crucial draw or win. Series level again, trust that India will bring their best.
You can also read our first blog on this series of India and England below.