Harbhajan Singh Calls for Key Change in India’s XI Ahead of 4th Test: “Drop Nitish, Bring Kuldeep”
With India trailing 1-2 in the ongoing five-match Test series against England, pressure is mounting ahead of the fourth Test set to begin in Manchester on July 23. The team selection has come under scrutiny, especially regarding the performance of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Reddy has struggled with consistency. At Edgbaston, he managed only single-digit scores in both innings and failed to pick up a wicket. While he showed some promise at Lord’s with three wickets, his batting continued to disappoint, scoring 30 and 13 in two innings as India fell short by 22 runs.
🎙️ Harbhajan’s Suggestion: “Pick Kuldeep”
Speaking to India Today, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh did not hold back. He advocated for replacing Nitish with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who he believes can unsettle England’s aggressive batters.
“I had said before the Lord’s Test and also for the Birmingham Test that Kuldeep should play. The English batters are free-flowing, and if there’s one bowler who can confuse them with spin from both sides, it’s Kuldeep,” Harbhajan said.
He emphasized the potential impact Kuldeep could bring, especially when the pitch offers little for pacers early in the innings.
“In my team, I would drop Nitish and bring Kuldeep directly. Even if the new ball doesn’t do much, Kuldeep can break partnerships and shift momentum,” he added.
⚠️ India’s Team Concerns
India’s batting has also come under the scanner, particularly after the third Test collapse, where the top order crumbled during what seemed like a chaseable target. All-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy were unable to provide support to Ravindra Jadeja, who fought a lone battle and remained unbeaten on 61.
As the team prepares for a crucial encounter, the team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, will be forced to consider changes that could level the series.
