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"Unpopular But Right Choice" Manjrekar Demands Kuldeep In 2nd Test, Snubs Thakur

Akshita Patel

Sanjay Manjrekar wants changes in India's XI for 2nd Test [Source: @SunRisers, @witt_mantri, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com] Sanjay Manjrekar wants changes in India's XI for 2nd Test [Source: @SunRisers, @witt_mantri, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com] 

After India’s five-wicket loss to England in the first Test at Leeds, former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has called for a major change in the playing XI. He believes Kuldeep Yadav should return to the team and Shardul Thakur should be dropped ahead of the second Test.

India played four seamers, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, in the first Test against England at Leeds. However, the pitch was flat, and the lack of help neutralised the pacers’ threat.

The visitors failed to defend 371 runs in the fourth inning as England won the contest to go 1-0 in the 5-game series.

Sanjay Manjrekar Advises India To Drop A Pacer For Extra Spinner

India will face England in the 2nd Test at Edgbaston on July 2. Talking on 'Match Centre Live' and quoted by Indian Express, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar opined that Shubman Gill and co. must drop Shardul Thakur to bring up extra spin option Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test.

“Kuldeep Yadav has to come back. I’m sorry to say, but Shardul Thakur has to go out. That is one change India will have to make. It’s an unpopular choice, because when he comes in, the balance does get affected a bit. He won’t quite bowl like a fourth seamer, so India need to take a hard call: even in English conditions, they must go with quality bowlers," Manjrekar said.

He believes that India can no longer rely on picking seamers just because the match is in England. He pointed out that Indian bowlers, except for Jasprit Bumrah, failed to trouble the English batters on a pitch where the ball didn’t move much.

"If that means playing two spinners, so be it. Pick your best bowlers, irrespective of the conditions. You don’t have the luxury of someone like Mohammed Shami available, or the full-strength pace battery, so I’d go one seamer short and bring Kuldeep into the XI. He has to play,” he added.

He also mentioned that Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made his debut last year, had promise based on his performances in Australia. But it’s time to focus on quality over options.

Manjrekar Justifies Call For Kuldeep’s Inclusion

To justify his unusual choice, Sanjay Manjrekar argued that English pitches are not always seam-friendly anymore, and due to drier summers, possibly due to global warming, spin bowlers can play a big role. He said that in the past, India used to play even three spinners overseas, irrespective of the conditions.

“Let’s also acknowledge that English summers these days are largely dry, thanks to global warming, perhaps, and that does open the door for spin. In a way, it’s time to reintroduce the idea of India playing spin in England. If Kuldeep is in your squad, play him. Don’t go with seamers just because you’re playing in England,” he concluded.

The second Test is crucial for India, and changes may be on the cards. With Mohammed Shami not available, the bowling attack needs variety and strength, something Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist spin can offer.