India’s fielding was terrible in the first Test against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, Leeds. Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped four catches and was removed from the slip cordon in the second innings.

India lost the first Test by five wickets, trailing 0-1 in the five-match series. According to experts, the key cause for the defeat was poor fielding performance. However, former India head coach Greg Chappell believes the devastating loss was caused by a lack of variety in the bowling department. He believes that, with the exception of Jasprit Bumrah, all Indian seamers have similar traits, and the lack of unpredictability has made things easy for England’s hitters.

“As upsetting as the fielding at Headingley was, it was not the primary reason India lost the Test.

The vast majority of India’s issues were caused by its own actions. “Perhaps the most costly error was the no-ball that gave Harry Brook an early lead in the second innings,” wrote Chappell in his column on Monday, June 30.

“What concerns me the most is the bowling attack’s lack of variation. Except for Jasprit Bumrah, India’s seamers are all right-arm, medium-fast, and operate at similar angles. There is a reason why wickets frequently fall after a change in bowling. It causes the batter to readjust. Shubman Gill’s current crop does not allow for that level of diversity,” he noted.

I’d want to see left-armer Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav added to the mix. Greg Chappell

Jasprit Bumrah will not play more than three Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, as the Indian team management is monitoring his workload. Chappell believes that if Bumrah misses a game, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav might be handed opportunities. The former Australian cricketer declared Kuldeep the best wrist-spinner since Shane Warne.

“Without Bumrah, I’d want to see left-armer Arshdeep Singh join the assault, as well as Kuldeep Yadav, possibly the best wristspinner since Shane Warne. Jadeja is not a first-choice spinner in English conditions. If his batting is regarded adequate, he can be a support spinner; otherwise, a rethink is required. If India were to turn around their fortunes in this series, a more balanced lineup is essential,” Chappell remarked.

Chappell was equally harsh on the Indian bowlers, blasting them for inconsistent line and length.

“Even with Bumrah in the lineup, the remainder of the assault must be more disciplined. I didn’t see two balls land in the same unsafe location. They were either overly full, too short, or too wide. Bowlers, like batters, must collaborate to succeed. All England needs to do right now is stop Bumrah, and they know the pressure will follow. “I don’t believe an extra batter who bowls should be chosen as insurance against top-order collapses,” Chappell remarked.

Chappell advised India to trust their top six hitters and select bowlers capable of taking 20 wickets over two innings in the second Test, which begins on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

“The top six must be trusted to deliver the runs, and the captain has the best combination to secure the required 20 wickets.” The selections are currently under pressure. Batters and bowlers must be willing to take chances in order to score runs and take wickets, and they must also have the bravery to make daring judgements,” he added.