27 June, 2025 - India’s defeat in the Headingley Test has made one thing clear: changes are inevitable. While Harshit Rana isn’t travelling with the squad to Edgbaston, a shake-up in the bowling department seems likely. The underwhelming performances from Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna placed an excessive burden on Jasprit Bumrah, which is far from ideal for India’s premier fast bowler—or the team’s balance overall.

Despite the loss, India’s top order delivered in style, racking up five centuries across the two innings. That kind of form means major changes in the batting line-up are unlikely. However, dropped catches and an ineffective bowling attack (excluding Bumrah) remain key concerns—just as they were during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

As India prepares for the crucial Edgbaston Test, all eyes will be on how the team addresses these issues.

Here’s the likely XI reshaped to reflect English conditions and recent expert advice:

Top Order

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal – A standout opener with big scores at Leeds, his form secures another start.
  • KL Rahul – Selected as Rohit’s replacement; a reliable technique suited for swing. Most experienced batter in English conditions, scored 2nd innings century in 1st test. 
  • Shubman Gill (c) - Scored a century in the previous match. Captain of the team. 
    • Suggestion: Shubman should come up at No. 3 and allow Sai No. 4 slot.

Middle Order

  • Sai Sudharsan – Impressed with positive intent; he could cement the No. 4 spot.
  • Rishabh Pant (wk) – Aggressive keeper-batter who provided solidity at Leeds.
  • Karun Nair – Management may lean toward Karun Nair’s experience, although his performance at Leeds is one he'd likely prefer to forget. Dhruv Jurel, also a wicketkeeper, continues to wait in the wings, but he may have to bide his time a little longer.

All-Rounder & Spin

  • Ravindra Jadeja – A mainstay all-rounder; even with a modest performance, his balance is essential.
  • Kuldeep Yadav – Multiple experts are backing his addition to strengthen spin options.

Pace Attack

  • Jasprit Bumrah – His inclusion remains uncertain, with the team management frequently citing workload concerns in every press conference. Yet, he continues to start in every match—even when officially “rested.”
  • Mohammed Siraj – Likely retained despite an expensive outing; his pace is vital.
  • Arshdeep Singh – Favored over Prasidh Krishna, offering swing and accurate seam on greener tracks.

Predicted XI:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Key Insights

  • Spin shift: Kuldeep’s wrist-spin is essential to exploit Edgbaston’s potential turn.
  • Bowling balance: More swing from Arshdeep helps balance a pace trio of Bumrah and Siraj.

Bottom Line

India’s Edgbaston XI is likely to blend experience and variety—strong openers, spin reinforcements, and a sharper pace attack. With strategic tweaks based on Headingley learnings, Team India will be out to level the series in Birmingham.