BCCI selector picks Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav for Manchester Test, 2 BIG names dropped

Former India chief selector and captain, Dilip Vengsarkar, has picked the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in his playing XI for the Manchester Test match against England.

The fourth Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 between India and England is all set to be played at Old Trafford from July 23.

Also Read: Karun Nair's Test career over! Sai Sudharsan recalled to India's Playing XI for the Manchester Test

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

I would drop Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar: Dilip Vengsarkar

In an interview with RevSportz, Dilip Vengsarkar was asked whether India should consider making changes for the fourth Test of the five-match series against the Three Lions.

Dilip Vengsarkar responded by naming Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav as the must-haves in the team in Manchester. He said:

"I would pick Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav. Arshdeep is a good left-arm bowler who can move the ball in the air and off the wicket, which is crucial in English conditions. He can also reverse-swing the ball, which is important. I have seen him bowl."

Vengsarkar added that the all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar should make way for the specialist bowlers because Test matches can't be won with part-timers. He said:

"I would drop Nitish Reddy and perhaps one more player to make room for Arshdeep. I think Siraj and Bumrah should keep their places, but Reddy could make way. Kuldeep Yadav could also replace someone like Washington Sundar. 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."

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar receive backing from Gautam Gambhir

The young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have been in decent form in the ongoing five-match Test series, and they have received good backing from the head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Reddy was brought into the playing XI from the second Test match onwards at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where he scored 1 & 1 and returned with figures of 0/29 in India's dominant win

In the subsequent Lord's Test match, Reddy significantly improved his performance and registered scores of 30 & 13 and bowling figures of 2/62 & 1/20.

Talking about Washington Sundar, he was also added to the playing XI from the second Test onwards, and so far, he has done a fine job for the side.

At Edgbaston, he scored 42 & 12* and had the bowling figures of 0/73 & 1/28, while at Lord's he registered scores of 23 & 0 and bowling figures of 0/21 & 4/22.

With Bumrah, Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, plus a spinner like Kuldeep, India would have the right mix of bowlers - Dilip Vengsarkar

Vengsarkar also said that the quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav would be deadly if the conditions are decent enough for them. He said:

"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."

The legendary figure in Indian cricket was also optimistic of the Shubman Gill-led side's chances in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and backed them to win the series. He said:

"India has the capability to win both the series and the Manchester Test. They just need to play to their potential. They’ve got a strong team with a lot of talent. I’m confident that they’ll do well and win the Test."