Will India play Kuldeep Yadav for even one Test match in the ongoing five-match Test series against England is a burning question that every expert and fan have asked in recent times. The Chinaman, who can turn matches on his head due to his X-factor and wicket-taking abilities, is warming the bench in the ongoing Test series, with the likes of Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, and Shardul Thakur edging him ahead in the playing XI. Cricketer-turned-expert Harbhajan Singh has urged India to include Kuldeep in the playing XI for the fourth Manchester Test.
Not only the former off-spinner, but there have been several experts who echo the same sentiments that Kuldeep must be in the playing XI due to his excellent record against England.
"I had said before the Lord's Test and also for the Birmingham Test that Kuldeep should play. Because of the kind of free-flowing batting these Englishmen do, it is not that easy for him. If such a spinner spins it on both sides, then he can become a mystery bowler and take wickets at crucial times," Harbhajan Singh told Sports Tak.
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Harbhajan wants Nitish Reddy to be dropped to accommodate Kuldeep Yadav in the fourth Test
The expert also stated that all-rounder Nitish Reddy will have to make way for Kuldeep Yadav to be in the playing XI for the fourth Manchester Test. However, the former has suffered a knee injury and has flown back to India. He will miss the remainder of the matches.
"In Test cricket, it is not just that they are waiting for the new ball. Let a few overs be bowled. If nothing much is happening, then Kuldeep Yadav can take wickets. If it were my team, I would drop Nitish and bring Kuldeep directly into the team," Harbhajan added.
Apart from Kuldeep, Harbhajan also wants Sai Sudarshan to replace the out-of-form Karun Nair at the pivotal number three position. The latter has not scored a fifty in the three Tests that he has played, with 40 being his highest score.
"If there was a change in the top order, I would back Sai Sudarshan a little more. I would not have sidelined him after the first match. I think he is very capable, he is a very good player," said Harbhajan.
The fourth Test match will be played from July 23-27. The hosts are leading the five-match Test series 2-1.
