Beckenham (UK) – As Team India regrouped in Beckenham ahead of the fourth Test against England in Manchester, former Australia captain Michael Clarke called for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the Playing XI. However, he also admitted that head coach Gautam Gambhir’s strategy and Washington Sundar’s all-round showing might complicate the move.
India trail 1-2 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, despite having dominated a majority of the 45 sessions played so far. Their heartbreaking 22-run loss at Lord’s has sparked calls for a re-evaluation of team composition.
🗣️ Clarke’s Call for Kuldeep
Speaking on the Beyond23 Podcast, Clarke said:
“India can hold their heads high, particularly Jadeja. But again, I have said it openly—I would still like to see Kuldeep Yadav in that XI. Bring him in. But now I don’t know how.”
He acknowledged Washington Sundar’s solid performance at Lord’s—40 runs and four wickets—as a roadblock in bringing Kuldeep in, despite the latter being India’s only specialist wrist-spinner in the squad.
“Sundar bowled brilliantly, scored handy runs. Jadeja’s batting has been phenomenal. He’s saved India so many times. I think if someone held the other end, Jadeja would have gotten them home,” Clarke added.
⚖️ Dilemma for Gambhir and Gill
With Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar providing depth in both departments, India have opted to prioritise batting balance over specialist spin. But Clarke’s comments reflect growing concerns about whether that approach is costing India crucial breakthroughs, especially in tight contests.
Kuldeep, who hasn’t featured in the series so far, offers mystery and variation that England’s batters have struggled with in the past.
Meanwhile, India are likely to drop Karun Nair, the only top-order batter yet to register a half-century. Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran are frontrunners to replace him in the fourth Test starting Wednesday in Manchester.
🧩 Selection Puzzle
With Sundar justifying his place with both bat and ball, and Jadeja continuing to be undroppable, finding a spot for Kuldeep may be tricky unless India either:
- Play three spinners, risking the balance of their pace attack, or
- Replace a seamer or all-rounder, which could backfire given England’s pace-friendly conditions.
How Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill navigate this selection dilemma will be key as India aim to level the series 2-2.