As Team India prepares for the pivotal second Test against England at Edgbaston on July 2, spinner Kuldeep Yadav has disclosed the strategic insights he received from former England star Kevin Pietersen. The advice, delivered during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, could prove vital as India looks to bounce back from a defeat in the opening Test of the five-match series.
Yadav, who played for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, benefited from Pietersen’s mentorship at the franchise. Although the left-arm spinner didn’t feature in the first Test, which India lost after England chased down a daunting 371-run target, he is now a strong contender to bolster the spin attack in the second match.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Yadav recounted Pietersen’s guidance. “Kevin Pietersen was part of our team at DC. He gave me a lot of inputs for the England tour. He told me about fielding positions, pitches and the batsmen. We ran through their batting line-up. He told me about the mindset needed in England,” Yadav said.
Pietersen’s advice focused on a key psychological shift. “Pietersen said that generally spinners come to England with a defensive mindset. They think that in England, fast bowlers will get wickets and they will be in a supporting role. He told me to take the field with an attacking mindset. If I get a game and bowl 15 to 20 overs, I have to always think about how to get the batsmen out,” Yadav added.
India’s bowling woes in the first Test, where Ravindra Jadeja was the lone spinner and managed just one wicket, may prompt changes in the line-up. With Yadav’s aggressive approach and fresh insights, he could be the solution India needs on England’s traditionally seam-friendly pitches.
Despite a stellar performance from the Indian batting unit—registering five centuries across two innings—the team failed to defend a substantial target, handing Ben Stokes and his side a 1-0 lead. The second Test at Edgbaston presents a historic challenge: India has never won a Test at the venue, with seven losses and one draw in their eight previous attempts.
Adding to the excitement, England have recalled pace ace Jofra Archer, who returns to the Test side after a four-year hiatus. Meanwhile, India will aim not just to level the series, but to claim their first-ever victory at one of England’s most iconic grounds, with Kuldeep Yadav potentially leading the spin charge.
