ENG vs IND: Salman Butt wants Virat Kohli to pick Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara

Former Pakistan batsman Salman Butt has called for the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav in the Indian playing XI at the cost of Cheteshwar Pujara. The Indian No 3 has been under the scanner of experts after consistent failures. Pujara averages under 27 in Tests this year and delivered a flop show in the three innings he has played in the series so far.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw, who were called in the Indian squad as replacements for injured Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar, have completed their quarantine and will be available for selection in the next Test. Butt feels India should include Yadav in the XI but not before giving Pujara one more game in the series.

“Pujara is struggling. The conditions are also tough. If India want, they can give Suryakumar Yadav a chance. It all depends on what Virat Kohli thinks, what the coach thinks,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.

“As of now, three innings have been played. I feel it is too early to bring in a youngster in such testing conditions.

"It will be a really tough task for him. Pujara, on the other hand, is dependable and he has performed before in these conditions. He has failed so far but let’s give him one more Test,” he said.

Salman said coming in and facing James Anderson in English conditions won’t be easy for any youngster.

“For any youngster coming one-down, facing James Anderson and the other bowlers England have a very good attack and the conditions are quite difficult. Look at the England players. Playing at home, the top three are hardly able to do anything substantial,” Butt said.

Meanwhile, England have their noses ahead at Lunch on Day 4. The Three Lions have sent KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the pavilion with India just 29 runs ahead. The onus will now be on two out of form batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to bail India out of trouble.