5 Reasons why India lost the 2nd Test Match against England

#4. Team Selection

Kuldeep Yadav was a complete failure in this match

There were several speculations as to how the playing XI for the second Test would shape up after the closely fought defeat against the same opponents at Edgbaston in the opening game of the series. When Virat Kohli announced the playing XI for the 2nd Test at the toss, there were two major changes.

The inclusion of chinaman Kuldeep Yadav as a second spinner alongside Ravichandran Ashwin in place of Umesh Yadav certainly came as an unprecedented surprise given the seam and swing friendly conditions of the pitch. The other change was the inclusion of Chesteshwar Pujara in place of Shikhar Dhawan, who has found it difficult to score in overseas conditions despite being given numerous chances to prove himself.

India certainly missed a trick or two by including two spinners in the playing XI given the assistance available to the fast bowlers on the seaming and swinging wicket. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav not only failed to pick up any wickets but also kept leaking runs which only added insult to India’s injury.

Ashwin ended with figures of 0/58 in his 19 overs at an economy of 4.00 while Kuldeep finished with 0/44 in his 9 overs at an economy of 4.89.