Harbhajan Singh suggests two important changes in India’s playing XI for the Manchester Test

Harbhajan Singh urges selectors to include Kuldeep Yadav and Sai Sudharsan while dropping Nitish Kumar Reddy for India’s must-win 4th cricket Test vs England at Old Trafford.

20 Jul 2025 14:56 IST

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Former Indian spinner and commentator Harbhajan Singh has stated that the Indian team should bring in Kuldeep Yadav to the playing XI for the fourth Test, scheduled to start on Wednesday, July 23, at Old Trafford in Manchester.

While Bhajji has been constantly vocal to include Kuldeep in the playing XI since the Leeds Test defeat, India is yet to include the attacking spinner as the spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar has been part of the XI in Birmingham and Lord’s.

"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 SportsTak.

Furthermore, Harbhajan wanted the Indian think-tank team to drop the batting all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who replaced Shardul Thakur in the XI after the first Test. However, Reddy couldn’t create a significant impact in both batting and bowling departments.

"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 was my team, I would drop Nitish and bring Kuldeep directly in the team," Harbhajan added.

Additionally, Bhajji also felt that Sai Sudharsan should be included if India thinks of making a change in the top order. Notably, Karun Nair, who made a comeback after eight years, couldn’t live up to the expectations at the No.3 spot, getting starts, but failing to convert them.

"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.

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