Ind Vs Eng 4th Test: Harbhajan Singh urges team to drop this player for Kuldeep Yadav

As India trails 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England, the spotlight is now on team selection ahead of the crucial fourth Test at Manchester starting July 23. With several players under scrutiny, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has made a bold suggestion, urging head coach Gautam Gambhir to make a key change in the playing XI.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Inconsistent Form Raises Eyebrows

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s performances in the series have been a mixed bag. While he impressed with the ball at Lord’s—taking two wickets in his first over and another in the second innings, his batting has been underwhelming. Scores of 30 and 13 in that match did little to shore up India’s middle order. At Edgbaston, Reddy’s struggles continued with two single-digit scores and no wickets.

Harbhajan Backs Kuldeep Yadav for Manchester Test

Speaking to India Today, Harbhajan Singh voiced his preference for Kuldeep Yadav in the XI. “I had said before the Lord’s Test and also for Birmingham that Kuldeep should play. His ability to spin the ball both ways could make him a mystery bowler against England’s aggressive batting,” Harbhajan noted.

He added, “In Test cricket, when nothing is happening with the new ball, Kuldeep can break partnerships and get crucial breakthroughs. If it was my team, I would drop Nitish and bring Kuldeep directly.”

Indian Middle Order Under Pressure

India’s defeat in the third Test exposed their brittle top order and lack of support for Ravindra Jadeja in the middle. Jadeja’s unbeaten 61* went in vain as all-rounders Washington Sundar and Reddy failed to anchor partnerships.

With the series on the line, Harbhajan’s call for Kuldeep Yadav could spark debate in the Indian camp. The fourth Test at Old Trafford now looms as a must-win clash for Gambhir’s men.