5 Things Team India Must Do to Win the 2nd ENG vs IND Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham

Published on: Jun 30, 2025 1:29 pm IST|Updated on: Jun 30, 2025 1:31 pm IST

ENG vs IND Test
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Team India has been shattered after a demeaning loss to England in the first of the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Despite putting up a clinical batting display, at least for the better part of the game in both the first and second innings, their bowlers failed to defend 370 in the fourth innings, and Team India lost a golden opportunity to defeat England at Headingley, Leeds, by 5 wickets.

With a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series, the hosts, England, will enter the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham with their tails up. On the other hand, Team India will have to stitch together a plan that works for them in registering their first win of this series. Let’s delve into the approach Team India should opt for to register a win over England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, a venue where Team India has never defeated the hosts in Test matches.

ENG vs IND Test 2025: Five Critical decisions Team India Should take to Win the Edgbaston Test

Here is what Team India should do to get the better of the hosts, England, in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Sharpen the Bowling Attack: Bring in Arshdeep Singh or Kuldeep Yadav

India’s bowling lacked bite beyond Jasprit Bumrah in the first Test. With the Edgbaston surface likely to offer bounce and some turn, the inclusion of either Arshdeep Singh or Kuldeep Yadav could be a game-changer.

Arshdeep, a left-arm seamer, brings variety and control. In 21 first-class matches, he has taken 66 wickets at an average of 30.37, including two five-wicket hauls. His ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl long spells makes him a strong candidate, especially if conditions are overcast.

Kuldeep, on the other hand, offers wrist-spin, a rare and potent weapon in England. With 56 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 22.16, he’s proven his red-ball mettle. His recent form and ability to turn the ball both ways could trouble England’s aggressive middle order, especially if the pitch wears down as the match progresses.

Lower Order Must Show Resilience with the bat

India’s lower order was a glaring weakness at Headingley. Across both innings, the last four batters contributed a combined 9 runs in the first innings and 4 runs in the second. That’s 13 runs from eight wickets, a stat that simply cannot be repeated.

In contrast, England’s tail added 72 runs, which proved decisive in a tight chase. India must demand more from its Nos. 8 to 11—not just in terms of runs, but time spent at the crease. Even 20–30 extra runs could tilt the balance in a low-margin contest.

The regular failure of Indian tailenders with the bat, not only in the first test but in the previous Test series as well, has led to the downfall of the team and losing crunch games. This is one thing the team should look to rectify in the upcoming Test.

If Bumrah Is Rested, Choose Wisely: Arshdeep or Akash Deep?

With Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested for workload management, India faces a crucial decision. Should they go with Arshdeep Singh or hand a recall to Akash Deep?

Akash Deep has been impressive in domestic red-ball cricket. In 38 first-class matches, he has taken 128 wickets at an average of 24.19, including 5 five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. He’s known for his ability to hit the deck hard and extract bounce traits that suit English conditions well.

Arshdeep, who is yet to make his Test debut, offers left-arm angle and swing, something the current Indian pace attack is looking for. His first-class strike rate of 56.9 and economy of 3.20 suggest he can hold one end up while attacking from the other. Arshdeep is one such bowler who looks to swing the ball both ways, and a left-arm angle will provide variety in the Indian seam bowling attack.

If India wants swing and variation, Arshdeep is the man. If they want seam and bounce, Akash Deep might be the better fit.

Siraj and Prasidh Must Tighten Up

Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were expensive and inconsistent at Headingley. Siraj bowled 41 overs across both innings, conceding 173 runs for just 2 wickets, with an economy of over 4.2. His inconsistent line and unnecessary aggression have led to leaking boundaries and allowing England to release pressure too easily.

Prasidh Krishna, meanwhile, had a forgettable outing. He returned figures of 3/128 in the first innings and 2/92 in the second, conceding runs at 6.28 runs per over, the worst economy rate by an Indian bowler in a 20+ over Test spell. Yes, he bowled his heart out, especially with his bouncers in the first innings, but in the process leaked too many runs, which resulted in England never losing control during their batting.

Both bowlers must recalibrate their lengths and focus on building pressure. England’s Bazball approach thrives on loose deliveries. If Siraj and Prasidh can dry up the runs, wickets will follow.

Catches Win Matches; take your catches

India’s fielding at Headingley was abysmal. They dropped 8 catches, including four by Yashasvi Jaiswal alone. Key chances were spilled off Ben Duckett (twice), Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook, all of whom went on to score big. Duckett alone added 149 in the second innings after being dropped on 97.

These lapses cost India dearly. This was India’s third-highest number of dropped catches in a Test since 2006. The new slip cordon, without Kohli, Pujara, or Rahane, in particular, looked unsettled and reactive. At Edgbaston, India must field with intensity and precision. A dropped catch not only gives away runs but also deflates the bowlers. With England’s aggressive batting, every chance must be taken.

When will ENG vs IND 2nd Test Take Place?

The second Test between England and India for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be taking place on 2nd July, 2025 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The hosts, England, are already 1-0 up in the 5-match series, and a win here will boost their chances of winning the series. India, on the other hand, will be low on confidence entering this contest, but they need to put up a better show to stand a chance of winning the second ENG vs IND 2nd Test.

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