India vs England 2nd Test 2025

India Seek Parity After Leeds Defeat

Following a 5-wicket loss in the first Test at Headingley, India, led by Shubman Gill, faced England in the 2nd Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting July 2, 2025, at 3:30 PM IST. With a historical record of 7 losses and 1 draw in 8 Tests at Edgbaston, India made three key changes to their XI, introducing all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, and pacer Akash Deep, while resting Jasprit Bumrah and dropping Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur. This article details the team changes, performances, and implications, drawing from Free Press Journal and supporting sources.

Team Changes and Confirmed Playing XI

• Confirmed India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

• Changes:

  • Nitish Kumar Reddy replaces Shardul Thakur: Reddy, a batting all-rounder, was prioritized for his lower-order batting strength after India’s collapses in Leeds (430/3 to 471 all out; 333/5 to 364 all out). His debut Test series in Australia (2024) yielded 298 runs, including a century, and 5 wickets, showcasing his versatility. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate called him India’s “premium batting all-rounder,” noting his edge over Thakur, who scored 1 and 4 runs and took 2 wickets in Leeds.

  • Washington Sundar replaces Sai Sudharsan: Sundar, an off-spinning all-rounder, was included to bolster batting depth and add spin variety alongside Ravindra Jadeja. Sudharsan, after a debut duck and 30, was dropped, with Karun Nair moving to No. 3. Sundar’s extended net sessions, bowling alongside Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, signaled his dual role as a frontline spinner and lower-order batter.

  • Akash Deep replaces Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah was rested for workload management after a heavy workload in Leeds, where he took a five-for but couldn’t prevent England’s chase of 371. Akash Deep, a pacer, steps in to join Siraj and Krishna, with ten Doeschate confirming a late call on Bumrah’s fitness despite his readiness.

• Batting Order Adjustments: Karun Nair moves to No. 3 from No. 6, Gill and Pant bat at No. 4 and 5, with Reddy at No. 6, Jadeja at No. 7, and Sundar at No. 8, emphasizing batting depth.

Match Context and Strategic Rationale

• First Test Recap: India’s loss in Leeds exposed bowling and fielding weaknesses, dropping six catches and managing only 15 wickets in nearly 200 overs despite centuries from Gill (147), Pant, Jaiswal, and Rahul. England chased 371, underlining India’s need for stronger bowling options.

• Edgbaston Pitch and Conditions: The pitch offers pace and bounce early, favoring seamers under cloudy skies, but flattens out, with spin expected to play a role by Days 4-5 due to cracks and rough patches. Birmingham’s weather forecast includes a cloudy Day 1 with possible rain, sunny Days 2-3, and showers on Days 4-5 (62% chance on Day 4). India’s inclusion of two spinners (Jadeja and Sundar) aligns with expected spin-friendly conditions later.

• Team Strategy: Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasized balancing batting and bowling, with Reddy and Sundar adding depth to counter late-order collapses. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan defended the selections, noting that Siraj, Akash Deep, and Krishna can bowl 55-60 attacking overs, with Jadeja, Sundar, and Reddy offering defensive bowling and wicket-taking potential. The omission of Kuldeep Yadav, despite his wrist-spin threat, sparked debate, with fans on X calling it “defensive,” though Pathan argued it strengthens the attack.

Key Player Profiles

• Nitish Kumar Reddy: The 22-year-old impressed in Australia, scoring a century and 298 runs across five Tests. His slip fielding and bowling in nets suggest a versatile role at No. 6, replacing Thakur’s underutilized bowling (minimal overs in Leeds).

• Washington Sundar: The off-spinner, experienced in English conditions, offers long spells and reliable lower-order batting. His inclusion over Sudharsan and Kuldeep reflects India’s preference for all-round utility, especially after past selections favored all-rounders post-losses (e.g., after New Zealand defeat in 2024).

• Akash Deep: The pacer steps into Bumrah’s role, bringing fresh energy. His debut aligns with India’s need for three seamers, as ten Doeschate noted, to exploit early pitch conditions.

• Kuldeep Yadav’s Omission: Despite net sessions, Kuldeep was overlooked, likely due to batting concerns, as he faced local bowlers rather than India’s top pacers, unlike Sundar. Experts like Michael Clarke backed his inclusion for wickets, but India prioritized all-rounders.

England’s Perspective

• Unchanged XI: England, led by Ben Stokes, opted to bowl first after winning the toss, banking on early seam movement. Their XI—Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir—remains unchanged despite Jofra Archer’s availability. Stokes praised Rishabh Pant’s “fearless” batting, signaling caution against India’s middle order.

• Tribute: England wore black armbands in memory of former cricketer Wayne Larkins, who passed away on June 28, 2025.

Community and Industry Reactions

Social Media Sentiment

X posts reflected mixed sentiments. @BCCI and @StarSportsIndia confirmed the XI with three changes, sparking debate. @Adityakrsaha criticized the “Gambhir era” for prioritizing batting over wickets, while @vivek23mishra praised the balance of Jadeja, Reddy, and Sundar. @CricCrazyJohns noted the musical chairs at No. 3, with Nair replacing Sudharsan after multiple experiments. @sujeetsuman1991 lamented Kuldeep’s exclusion, emphasizing the need for 20 wickets.

Industry Insights

Analysts highlighted India’s strategic shift. The Indian Express noted Sundar and Reddy’s net sessions as clues, with ten Doeschate’s comments signaling a batting-focused approach. Times of India called Kuldeep’s omission “daft,” reflecting fan frustration, while Outlook India quoted Irfan Pathan defending the selections as attacking. WIONews and Firstpost emphasized Reddy’s Australia form and Sundar’s spin utility, with Hindustan Times noting Jaiswal’s 87 before his dismissal on Day 1. Livemint and News9live confirmed the toss and changes, aligning with India’s bid for parity.

The Bigger Picture: India’s Edgbaston Challenge

India’s 0-8 record at Edgbaston adds pressure to level the series, trailing 0-1. The inclusion of Reddy, Sundar, and Akash Deep aims to address Leeds’ shortcomings—dropped catches, bowling inconsistencies, and late-order collapses. With 1.2 billion cricket fans in India and a 10% annual surge in digital engagement, the match, streamed on JioHotstar, captivates a massive audience. Gill’s leadership, Pant’s dynamism (praised by Stokes), and the all-rounder-heavy XI signal India’s intent to fight back, but Kuldeep’s absence raises questions about wicket-taking intent. The series, critical for World Test Championship standings, continues with the 3rd Test at Lord’s on July 10.

A Bold Reset for India

India’s three changes for the 2nd Test at Edgbaston on July 2, 2025, reflect a strategic overhaul to counter their Leeds defeat. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar’s inclusion strengthens batting depth and spin options, while Akash Deep fills Bumrah’s void. Despite fan criticism over Kuldeep’s omission, the all-rounder-heavy XI, backed by Irfan Pathan, aims to exploit Edgbaston’s evolving pitch and avoid a 0-2 deficit. As Gill’s team battles a winless Edgbaston history, the match, fueled by India’s massive cricket fandom, promises high-stakes action.