India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted the team is struggling to find the right balance between bowling firepower and batting depth, a dilemma that has kept wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav out of the playing XI throughout the ongoing Test series in England.
Speaking after India conceded over 500 runs in an innings for the first time in more than a decade outside Asia and the West Indies, Morkel said the decision to leave out Kuldeep was tied to the need for extra batting protection.
“Kuldeep is world class and he’s bowling really well at the moment,” Morkel said. “We’re trying our best to find ways for him to get in. But to balance the team with a longer and stronger batting lineup, sometimes it throws him out.”
It wasn’t the only decision drawing attention. Fans and analysts alike have questioned India’s overall defensive approach with team composition and tactics.
Morkel acknowledged the team is aware of those concerns.
“You do need runs on the board,” he said. “Especially against a team like England and the way they play. That’s why we’ve looked to bolster our batting lineup.”
Still, the pitch at Old Trafford has offered spin, which should theoretically suit players like Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja.
“We’ve seen the surface spin a bit. So it brings Washington and Jadeja into the game,” Morkel added. “We want consistent runs from our top six so that we can bring in a guy like Kuldeep.”
Morkel was pressed on whether relying on extra batting may be making India less potent with the ball. He didn’t dismiss the concern.
“There’s always the option to pick your six best batters and go in with your quicks,” he said. “All of those discussions happen. But in the last two Tests, the spin bowlers we’ve used have done well. We were close to winning at Lord’s, and we had a great match at Edgbaston. It’s just that yesterday’s bowling wasn’t at our level.”
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India’s inability to create pressure on day two, particularly when England ran away with the scoring, has raised more eyebrows. Morkel said the team bowled too straight and lacked zip off the pitch.
“You need that bit of energy on the ball. Especially on flatter surfaces where there’s not much movement,” he said. “Looking at the workloads, Siraj and others have bowled a lot. Anshul is making his debut, and the outfield has been heavy. But yes, we do need more energy through the ball.”
Anshul Kamboj, a late addition, was picked ahead of Prasidh Krishna. Morkel explained that the team wanted someone who could bowl long spells and hit consistent areas.
“Anshul has done well at the domestic level and for India A. He’s been in the mix, and this was an opportunity,” Morkel said.
As for Shardul Thakur, who has bowled sparingly in the current match, Morkel acknowledged the limited options when the run rate is high.
“When you’re going at five an over, captains tend to bring back strike bowlers,” he said. “It’s tough for someone like Shardul to get into the rhythm.”
Washington Sundar, despite being the last bowler used, eventually found success with two wickets and provided some control. Morkel suggested the team may have missed a trick not turning to him earlier.
“Shubman [Gill] made the call to stick longer with pace. The ball was moving, and there was some seam. But when Washi got his chance today, he did a great job,” Morkel said.
India now faces a strategic crossroads. With the series slipping and England dominating at home, finding that elusive balance between batting safety and bowling bite remains a live issue. Whether that means Kuldeep Yadav finally gets a game may depend less on his talent and more on the top order’s ability to hold firm.
