IND vs ENG: Shardul Thakur Out, Abhimanyu Easwaran In? Three Changes India can make in 2nd Test

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India's unexpected defeat in the first Test against England at Headingley, despite scoring 835 runs with five centuries, has put pressure on captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir to make strategic changes for the second Test at Edgbaston, starting July 2, 2025.

The failure to take 20 wickets exposed weaknesses in India's bowling attack, necessitating adjustments to level the series. Despite batting well in both innings, India suffered a defeat due to a few shortcomings.

After the loss, the World Test Championship points table currently has India at the bottom, with only four teams having played so far in this cycle. Harshit Rana, who was roped in as a backup, has been released ahead of the 2nd Test. But the think tank may envision tweaking the lineup, which can include a couple of changes.

IND vs ENG: Three Changes India can Make for 2nd Test

1. Shardul Thakur - Replace with Nitish Kumar Reddy

Shardul Thakur's lackluster performance in the first Test warrants his exclusion. The pace-bowling all-rounder scored just one run and failed to take wickets, unable to provide breakthroughs or control England's chase of 371. On a potentially responsive Edgbaston pitch, India needs a more dynamic all-rounder. Nitish Kumar Reddy, a promising seam-bowling all-rounder, is the ideal replacement. Reddy's domestic performances, including a brisk fifty in the unofficial Test against England Lions, highlight his potential. His ability to contribute with bat and ball adds depth to the batting lineup while maintaining a five-bowler strategy.

2. Prasidh Krishna - Replace with Arshdeep Singh

Prasidh Krishna's ineffective bowling in the first Test further exposed India's struggles to dismiss England. His inability to adapt to English conditions, where swing and seam are crucial, makes him a candidate for replacement. With Jasprit Bumrah's workload being managed, India needs a reliable pacer for Edgbaston, where the pitch may assist bowlers later.

Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm seamer, brings much-needed variety. His swing bowling and tight lines could trouble England's predominantly right-handed batsmen, complementing Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Arshdeep's limited-overs experience and domestic form suggest he's ready for Test cricket.

3. Sai Sudharsan - Replace with Abhimanyu Easwaran

Although India's batting did exceedingly well, debutant Sai Sudharsan had an underwhelming outing. The southpaw was the only top-five batter without a hundred for India in the match. With 30 runs across two innings, Sai's place in the team may be scrutinised.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is waiting on the wings, can be a perfect option for India to try at Edgbaston. A few sources have claimed Sudharsan's place is under doubt, but to be fair, team management may give him another match before taking any decision.

Edgbaston's pitch, typically batter-friendly early but deteriorating later, demands a balanced bowling unit. Reddy's all-round skills and Arshdeep's left-arm pace address India's need for penetration and variety, exposed by England's "Bazball" approach. While some suggest replacing Ravindra Jadeja with Kuldeep Yadav for spin variation, Jadeja's experience likely ensures his retention.