Sunil Gavaskar, Cheteshwar Pujara KICK Shardul Thakur out of India XI for Oval Test

Legendary India National Cricket Team batter Sunil Gavaskar and the modern-day great Cheteshwar Pujara have demanded the removal of all-rounder Shardul Thakur from the India playing XI.

Both Sunil Gavaskar and Cheteshwar Pujara want India to pick the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the fifth Test match against England in place of Shardul Thakur.

Also Read: England squad for 5th Test against India announced, CSK star included

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Kuldeep Yadav's selection calls grow amid India's poor bowling show

The bowling performances of India have not been very good in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, and one name that has been backed by experts to change the fortunes of the team is Kuldeep Yadav.

The 30-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner is regarded as the game-changer, but has been quite unfortunate as he has been benched for four back-to-back matches in England.

Since making his Test debut in March 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala, Kuldeep Yadav has played just 13 matches, and even in the absence of retired Ravichandran Ashwin, he hasn't got a consistent run of chances in the Indian Test team.

Some reports claimed that the Indian team management had discussed Kuldeep Yadav's name for the Manchester Test, but in the end, decided to keep him on the bench, mainly because of his inability to contribute significantly with the bat.

Kuldeep for Shardul because Shardul hasn't been bowling much - Cheteshwar Pujara

India were awful in the Manchester Test against England in their only innings with the ball as they allowed the hosts to score 669 runs. However, thankfully, the batters saved the game for India, and the Test match ended in a draw

Speaking on Sony Sports Network after the conclusion of the fourth Test, Cheteshwar Pujara suggested India drop Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur and replace the duo with Akash Deep and Kuldeep Yadav in the Oval Test. He said:

"Straightaway (Akash Deep for Kamboj). I think that's the replacement that should happen. I saw Akash Deep was bowling today morning so he's getting ready for the next one. It's a straightforward call even though it's a little harsh on Anshul but he will get his opportunity in the future. Kuldeep for Shardul because Shardul hasn't been bowling much."

Sunil Gavaskar was on the same page as Cheteshwar Pujara, as he also reckoned that Shardul Thakur's axing is a must.

"I think that'll be the change ( Kuldeep for Shardul). We can anticipate that particularly because both Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja have scored hundreds. So you know these fellows can bat and aren't just contributors for 20/30 in a partnership of 60/70. They are Bonafide centurions so you'll have Kuldeep Yadav in place of Thakur," Sunil Gavaskar said.

I think they should be fit - Sunil Gavaskar on premier pacers

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar further said that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj playing the fifth Test against England, starting on July 31, is an absolute necessity, with the series on the line.

"Hopefully they'll both be available because this is the crucial Test now. If things hadn't gone well for India, maybe both could have been given a break in the next game. But it's a must-win game now and both these bowlers have found their rhythm. Suddenly for a new bowler to come in, it's not going to be easy as we saw with Kamboj, who struggled a little bit," said Sunil Gavaskar.

"So clearly for Bumrah and Siraj, these two days ( Days 4 and 5) of rest, where they probably didn't even change from their track suits because it's only four wickets gone, would be enough. They would have had a massage yesterday and today so I think they should be fit," Sunil Gavaskar added.

England are leading the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy by 2-1, and if India win the last Test at The Oval, they can draw the series, which will be a great achievement for a young side.