India vs England test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on July 2, 2025, the Indian cricket team gears up for the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against a buoyant England side. After a heart-wrenching five-wicket defeat in the series opener at Headingley, Leeds, where England chased down a formidable 371-run target, India is under pressure to level the series. With a new era under captain Shubman Gill, the team is navigating a transitional phase, and their preparation for this crucial Test reflects a blend of strategic recalibration, personnel changes, and mental fortitude. Let’s dive into how India has prepared for this high-stakes encounter.
Reflecting on the Leeds Loss
The first Test at Headingley between India vs England was a rollercoaster for India. The batting unit shone brightly, amassing 835 runs with five centuries—two from Rishabh Pant, and one each from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill. Pant, in particular, etched his name in history as the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test. Yet, despite this batting masterclass, India’s bowling and fielding faltered. England’s Ben Duckett (149) and Joe Root steered a stunning chase, exposing India’s inability to take wickets on a flattening pitch. The lower-order collapses—losing their last five wickets for 24 in the first innings and six for 31 in the second—proved costly. This loss, the first in Test history where a team scored five centuries and still lost, has been a wake-up call for the Indian camp.
Strategic Shifts in Team Composition
India’s preparation for the second Test has been marked by significant changes in their playing XI, driven by both necessity and strategy. The most notable absence is pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, whose participation is doubtful due to workload management. Having bowled nearly 44 overs in Leeds, including a five-wicket haul, Bumrah’s absence is a blow, but the team management is prioritizing his fitness for the remaining Tests, especially with only a three-day gap between the second and third matches. Reports from the nets suggest Bumrah engaged in light running and fielding drills but did not bowl extensively, indicating a likely rest.
To fill the void, India is turning to their young pacers. Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm seamer, and Akash Deep bowled lengthy spells in practice, with Arshdeep focusing on reverse swing, a tactic likely tailored to Edgbaston’s conditions. The team is also considering replacing Shardul Thakur, who struggled in Leeds with just two wickets and five runs across both innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy, a batting all-rounder, is a strong contender for Thakur’s spot, offering both bowling potency and lower-order stability. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate hinted at Reddy’s inclusion, noting his readiness after a disciplined net session.
The spin department is also under scrutiny. Despite Sunil Gavaskar’s push for Kuldeep Yadav to replace Thakur, citing Birmingham’s spin-friendly conditions, India may prioritize batting depth over a second spinner. Washington Sundar, who bats “nicely” per ten Doeschate, could edge out Kuldeep, potentially joining Ravindra Jadeja in the XI. This move aims to address the late-order collapses that hurt India in Leeds.
Net Sessions and Tactical Focus
India’s preparation has been intense, with a marathon five-hour net session on June 27, shortly after arriving in Birmingham. The focus was on addressing the shortcomings exposed in Leeds—poor catching, ineffective bowling on a flat pitch, and lower-order fragility. The team worked on their fielding, with players like Bumrah and Pant participating in catching drills. Arshdeep’s extended bowling with an old ball suggests India anticipates reverse swing playing a key role at Edgbaston, where the pitch is expected to offer early swing but flatten out later.
The batting unit, despite its success in Leeds, isn’t resting on its laurels. Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, all centurions in the first Test, have been sharpening their skills against pace and spin. However, Karun Nair, who managed only 20 runs in Leeds, faces pressure, with some reports suggesting he could be dropped for Sai Sudharsan or Washington Sundar to bolster the middle order.
Edgbaston’s Pitch and Weather Dynamics
The Edgbaston pitch is a critical factor in India’s planning. Historically, it offers early assistance to pacers due to swing but becomes a batting paradise by Days 4 and 5, as seen in recent Tests. The weather forecast for July 2 predicts cloudy skies with a chance of rain, which could aid India’s seamers early on if they bowl first. However, Days 4 and 5 carry a higher rain risk, potentially disrupting play. India’s strategy will likely involve maximizing their first-innings score and exploiting early bowling conditions, especially if they opt for Arshdeep and Akash Deep alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Mental Reset and Leadership Challenges
Under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, India is navigating uncharted waters without veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin. The Leeds loss sparked criticism of Gill’s tactical decisions, particularly his underuse of Thakur and fielding lapses. However, players like Prasidh Krishna have backed Gill, emphasizing his leadership potential. The team’s mood, as per reports, is to move past the Headingley defeat and focus on Edgbaston’s fresh challenge. Gill’s ability to rally his young squad—many of whom, like Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, shone in warm-up matches against England Lions—will be crucial.
Key Battles to Watch
The second Test promises intriguing matchups. England’s unchanged XI, led by Ben Stokes, includes dangerous batsmen like Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root, who capitalized on India’s bowling in Leeds. India’s pacers, particularly Arshdeep, will target early wickets to disrupt England’s top order. Meanwhile, Jaiswal’s aggressive approach against England’s spinners, like Shoaib Bashir, could set the tone for India’s batting. Pant’s continued form will be vital, especially against England’s pace trio of Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue.
The Road Ahead
India’s preparation reflects a team in transition, balancing youth with experience and adapting to English conditions. The inclusion of all-rounders like Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar signals a focus on batting depth, while Arshdeep’s potential debut adds variety to the attack. As they take on an England side riding the “Bazball” wave, India must blend their batting firepower with disciplined bowling and sharper fielding. A victory at Edgbaston would level the series and boost morale for the remaining Tests at Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval. With the World Test Championship cycle just beginning, the stakes are high, and India’s young guns are ready to fire.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch the action live on Sony Sports Network or stream it on the JioHotstar app, with the toss scheduled for 3:00 PM IST and play starting at 3:30 PM IST.