logo
'Bring Kuldeep directly': Harbhajan Singh presses Gambhir-Gill with decisive suggestion ahead of 4th Test against England

'Bring Kuldeep directly': Harbhajan Singh presses Gambhir-Gill with decisive suggestion ahead of 4th Test against England

First Post21-07-2025
Ahead of the start of the 4th Test, Harbhajan Singh has urged Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill to trust in the talents of Kuldeep Yadav, and include the bowler in the playing XI for the 4th Test. read more
With the 4th Test about to begin in Manchester, Team India stands at a delicate position in the series at 2-1. As injuries have mounted, it is needless to say that the playing XI will be tweaked for the penultimate Test match against England. One to two modifications are expected in the side that entered the Lord's. However, at this point, it is anybody's guess what changes the team management will make.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As the guessing game is on, experts are busy suggesting the names who should be picked for the 4th Test. The bracket includes former India bowler Harbhajan Singh, who has straight up stated that Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the side.
Harbhajan Singh vouches for Kuldeep Yadav
As per Singh, Yadav can hoodwink the English batters with his variations and must get picked in the 4th Test.
'I had said before the Lord's Test and also for the Birmingham Test that Kuldeep should play. Because the kind of free-flowing batting these Englishmen do, it is not that easy to him. If such a spinner spins it both sides, then he can become a mystery bowler and take wickets at crucial times,' Singh told India Today.
'In Test cricket, it is not just that they are waiting for the new ball. Let a few overs be bowled. If nothing much is happening, then Kuldeep Yadav can take wickets. If it was my team, I would drop Nitish and bring Kuldeep directly in the team,' he added.
Harbhajan Singh had seemingly shared his critique before the unfortunate news of Nitish Kumar Reddy's injury surfaced. Reddy has been ruled out of the ongoing India vs England Test series due to a knee injury and will miss the fourth as well as the fifth Test. Howbeit, whether Kuldeep Yadav will get an opportunity to play remains uncertain, with only time revealing the team's decision.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Zak Crawley tries his old tricks again; Shubman Gill smiles, then calls bluff to leave England opener gobsmacked
Zak Crawley tries his old tricks again; Shubman Gill smiles, then calls bluff to leave England opener gobsmacked

Hindustan Times

time27 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Zak Crawley tries his old tricks again; Shubman Gill smiles, then calls bluff to leave England opener gobsmacked

Mohammed Siraj delivered a searing yorker to knock back Zak Crawley's stumps and end Day 3 with India firmly in control at The Oval. England, chasing 374 for victory, finished the day at 50/1, still 324 runs adrift with two full days left in the Test. While Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 34, Siraj's late strike ensured that the pressure stayed squarely on the hosts. Zak Crawley deployed similar tactics to the third Test, but Shubman Gill had a more composed reaction this time(X) However, as the final over of Day 3 ticked away, Zak Crawley appeared to employ familiar delay tactics; backing away just as Mohammed Siraj charged in with steam. The moment drew a knowing smirk from Shubman Gill at slip, who chose restraint over reaction this time around. Unlike the heated exchange at Lord's earlier in the series, where Crawley's time-wasting antics had visibly agitated Gill and riled up the Indian camp, this version ended in silence, with Gill wearing only a quiet grin. Watch: Only three balls later, the Indian captain, with Siraj, played a masterstroke. Setting the field nicely for a short-pitch delivery, the pacer played a double bluff, bowling a yorker instead. Crawley was clearly not ready for the ball to pitch fuller, and couldn't adjust in time to bring his bat down. Earlier, Crawley and Duckett began the innings with intent, racing to a 50-run stand. That dramatic end to the day set the tone for what promises to be a tense fourth day as England chase their second-highest target in Test history. Earlier in the day, India posted 396 in their second innings, thanks largely to an electric counterattack from Washington Sundar and a composed fifty from Ravindra Jadeja after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep produced a blistering 107-run stand for the third wicket. After Jadeja was caught at second slip for a resolute 53, Sundar lit up The Oval with a whirlwind 53 off just 46 balls, peppering the boundary with clean strikes and sixes, including three maximums that had the crowd roaring. His onslaught, however, was ended by Josh Tongue, who claimed a five-wicket haul after getting Sundar to mistime a flick. Zak Crawley held on to a high catch amid a near-collision with Jamie Smith, bringing the curtains down on India's innings. India had earlier resumed on 189/4 after Lunch, with Shubman Gill falling on the very first delivery to Gus Atkinson. Jaiswal held fort and brought up his century with a well-timed shot through point. His 118 was the cornerstone of India's innings, though his dismissal triggered a wobble. Karun Nair and Gill fell in quick succession, but a brisk stand between Jadeja and Jurel took India past 300 before Tea.

3809 runs in 5 matches: Shubman Gill's India set new records in Oval Test
3809 runs in 5 matches: Shubman Gill's India set new records in Oval Test

India Today

time27 minutes ago

  • India Today

3809 runs in 5 matches: Shubman Gill's India set new records in Oval Test

India have carved their name into Test cricket history by hammering an astonishing 470 boundaries, which includes 422 fours and 48 sixes, during the ongoing five-match series against England. Shubman Gill's men achieved the record-breaking feat on Day 3 of the fifth Test at the Kennington Oval in London, setting a new benchmark for the most boundaries by any team in a single Test marks the first time India have crossed the 400-boundary mark in a Test series, shattering their long-standing record of 384 boundaries set back in 1964 — a milestone that had stood unchallenged for 60 years. Further underscoring their dominance, Indian batters notched up 28 scores of fifty or more — the highest number of fifty-plus scores by any team in a Test vs ENG, 5th Test Day 3: Highlights In total, India accumulated 3,809 runs at an average of 42.32 in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England. This remarkable tally stands as the second-highest team aggregate in Test series history. Australia remain at the summit with 3,877 runs at an average of 57.86 during the iconic 1989 Ashes campaigns continue to feature prominently in the all-time charts, with England's 3,757-run haul in 1928–29 and several high-scoring Australian performances in 1993, 1924–25, and 1970–71 completing the top six. Most runs by a team in a Test series Australia - 3877 runs - 57.86 avg - 6 Tests - The Ashes 1989 in EnglandIndia - 3809 runs - 42.32 avg - 5 Tests - Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in EnglandEngland - 3757 runs - 43.18 avg - 5 Tests - The Ashes 1928-29 in AustraliaAustralia - 3641 runs - 51.28 avg - 6 Tests - The Ashes 1993 in EnglandAustralia - 3630 runs - 36.30 avg - 5 Tests - The Ashes 1924-25 in AustraliaEngland - 3580 runs - 41.62 avg - 6 Tests - The Ashes 1970-71 in AustraliaIndia in a commanding position India holds the upper hand in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, with England needing 324 runs and just eight wickets in hand at stumps on Day 3. Chris Woakes has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with his sixth Test century, supported by fifties from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, as India set a daunting 374-run target for the hosts to chase down.- EndsTune InMust Watch

IND vs ENG: Zak Crawley tries to force another 'grow some f***ing balls' moment; Shubman Gill reacts
IND vs ENG: Zak Crawley tries to force another 'grow some f***ing balls' moment; Shubman Gill reacts

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

IND vs ENG: Zak Crawley tries to force another 'grow some f***ing balls' moment; Shubman Gill reacts

Zak Crawley and Shubman Gill (Getty Images Photo) The fifth and final Test at The Oval between India and England saw its share of tension, drama, and viral moments. One such moment came late on Day 3 when Zak Crawley once again tried to disrupt rhythm: only this time, Shubman Gill wasn't biting. During the 13th over of England's chase of 374, Crawley was seen backing away as Mohammed Siraj charged in, attempting to delay the bowler's momentum. On one such occasion, Shubman Gill, standing in the slip cordon, offered only a sly smile, markedly different from his fiery reaction earlier in the series when he had told Crawley to "grow some f***ing balls" on the stump mic for similar antics during the Lord's Test. Yashasvi Jaiswal press conference: Message from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli help, support from Gambhir This time, Gill didn't rise to the bait. But Siraj had the perfect response three balls later. Watch: On the final delivery of the day, Siraj pulled off a stunning setup. After planting the idea of a short ball with the field, he unleashed a late, dipping yorker that snuck under Crawley's bat and shattered his stumps. Crawley was completely undone, his footwork static, his reaction too late. Siraj's celebration was emphatic, arms wide and roaring toward the dressing room. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo A big breakthrough just before stumps. Poll Who do you think will win the final Test at The Oval? India England It's too close to call I don't follow cricket It was a vital strike, as England had cautiously moved to 50 without loss before that wicket. Crawley departed for 14 off 36 balls, with two boundaries, while Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 34. Earlier in the day, India posted a commanding 396 in their second innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a fluent 118. Akash Deep's unexpected 66 and solid fifties from Jadeja and Sundar helped India set England a daunting target of 374. At stumps on Day 3, England still need 324 runs with eight wickets in hand; and without injured Chris Woakes, who is unable to bat, the task has become significantly steeper. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store