Navjot Singh Sidhu backs Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav for 2nd Test against England

Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu believes India should make changes to their bowling line-up after losing the opening Test match against England by five wickets at Leeds, Headingley on Tuesday. Sidhu said Arshdeep Singh should play if India decides to manage Jasprit Bumrah’s workload.

The cricketer-turned-wicketkeeper said the left-arm pacer would create a rough for Kuldeep Yadav, who should also be backed in the starting XI. Both Arshdeep and Kuldeep were not part of the opening Test after the visitors played Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur ahead of the duo.

Ravindra Jadeja played as the solitary spinner in the team but could not create much impact with either bat or ball.

Navjot Sidhu said on his YouTube Channel, “For me, it would be Kuldeep along with the three seamers. If you don’t want to play Kuldeep because there is a lot of grass, or if Bumrah doesn’t play, then bring in Arshdeep. He will create a rough for Kuldeep. That’s what Starc does, he makes a rough for Nathan Lyon. That’s why he’s got over 550 wickets. 

“India should play seven batters. I kept quiet after India’s playing XI was announced because I knew that was their policy. My preferred playing XI for the first Test had Kuldeep Yadav’s name. If not Kuldeep, then four seamers. You play batters and the all-rounders till seven, but there should be four out-and-out bowlers with Jadeja,” Navjot Singh Sidhu remarked.

On the other hand, India suffered two batting collapses in both innings. The tourists lost 7-41 in the first innings, whereas they lost 6-31 in the second innings. 

Speaking on lower order batters, Sidhu said, “Saara ka saara middle order cycle stand ko dhakka maaro, thud thud thud thud sab gir gaye. (The middle order fell like how cycles fall in a cycle stand) It was not a coincidence; it’s been happening since Bangladesh.”

The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from July 2nd onwards.