Kuldeep Yadav IN; Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar OUT In Ex-India Selector's Playing XI For 4th Test
India put up a good fight at Lord's after a batting collapse but suffered a close defeat with England taking 2-1 lead in the five-Test series.
Team India has started gearing up for the all-important Manchester Test that starts from July 23 after handing England series lead at Lord's. The Shubman Gill-led side will be brainstorming over the team combination for the 4th Test, aiming to either bolster their pace attack with the addition of another specialist in place of an allrounder or bring in spinner Kuldeep Yadav to add variety. In the firing line is Karun Nair who has frittered away many a start in the series ever since making his international comeback.
Former India captain and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar has a clear advise for the Indian team: pick left-arm pacer Arshdeep alongside Kuldeep.
So then who goes out?
'I would drop Nitish Reddy and perhaps one more player to make room for Arshdeep," Vengsarkar said. 'I think Siraj and Bumrah should keep their places, but Reddy could make way. Kuldeep Yadav could also replace someone like Washington Sundar."
'Part-Time Bowlers Can't Win You Test'
Vengsarkar, who played 116 Tests between 1976 and 1992, argues that part-time bowlers cannot be expected to win Test matches.
'You need five bowlers in a Test match to win it. If your six batters can't put up a good total, the bowlers need to take responsibility. You can't win a Test match with part-time bowlers," he said.
Nitish has played in two Tests of the series so far managed 45 runs with the bat and three wickets with his medium pace. On the other hand, Kuldeep is yet to get a game while Arshdeep hasn't made his Test debut.
'You definitely need five bowlers, and Kuldeep Yadav could be a good option if the conditions support spin. With Bumrah, Siraj and Arshdeep, plus a spinner like Kuldeep, India would have the right mix of bowlers. They can win with this combination, but the batters must take responsibility," Vengsarkar said.
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July 18, 2025, 08:53 IST
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