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India's left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been warming the benches in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. He wasn't picked on a spin-friendly Edgbaston surface as Washington Sundar was preferred to strengthen the batting lineup. In the Manchester Test, where there is not much pace, Shardul Thakur was roped back in after Nitish Kumar Reddy got injured. As India bowlers struggle to bowl out England, many questioned Kuldeep's continued snub to deepen the batting depth. India bowling coach Morne Morkel was asked the same question in post-day press conference. Morkel said that they tried to get him into the playing XI but the inconsistency from top six batters made them decide against it.
"I do think at the end of the day you need runs on the board, and for us obviously giving that a little bit of extra batting protection, wanting to get totals of 400-plus," he said. "You need it against England, especially the way they play, their brand of cricket.
"But to be honest, the wicket so far has been dry and it's actually spun a little bit. So that brings Washington into the game. It brings Jaddu [Jadeja] into the game. So Kuldeep, we are trying to find a way for him, but it is just more that consistent runs from our top six that we want so that we can bring a guy like Kuldeep in."
Historically, Indian bowlers have not been effective at the Old Trafford, Manchester. They have never been able to bowl out England in both innings of a Test, one of the main reasons for their win drought.
The last time an Indian pacer registered a five-wicket haul at the venue was in 1959. Spin may have been a better option for India. In 1982, Dilip Doshi registered a six-wicket haul against England. The Test ended in a draw.
England continue to dominate
Meanwhile, India continue to struggle in the fourth Test of the series. At the end of Day 3's play, England have 186-run lead in the series. England had put 544/7 on the board. Ben Stokes remained unbeaten for 77 with Liam Dawson on the other end.
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