India's Narrow Defeat to England Sparks Calls for Team Changes
India Falls Short Against England in Third Test
In a closely contested third Test match, India suffered a narrow defeat to England by 22 runs at Lord's, as the visitors struggled to maintain pressure during their third innings. This lapse allowed the Ben Stokes-led side to set a modest yet defendable target of 193 runs.
The Indian batting lineup faltered significantly in the fourth innings, with only Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul showing any semblance of stability. Although all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed, his performance was short-lived. Despite taking three important wickets, his batting has come under scrutiny, prompting former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar to suggest his exclusion from the upcoming match.
Vengsarkar has recommended that the team consider including Arshdeep Singh, who he believes brings valuable bowling skills. He also expressed doubts about Washington Sundar's role, advocating for the selection of specialist bowlers, including left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Vengsarkar's Recommendations for Team Changes
“I would drop Nitish Kumar Reddy and perhaps one more player to make room for Arshdeep [Singh]. I think Siraj and Bumrah should keep their places, but Reddy could make way. Kuldeep Yadav could also replace someone like Washington Sundar. You need five bowlers in a Test match to win it. If your six batters can’t put up a good total, the bowlers need to take responsibility. You can’t win a Test match with part-time bowlers,”
“I would pick Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav. Arshdeep is a good left-arm bowler who can move the ball in the air and off the wicket, which is crucial in English conditions. He can also reverse swing the ball, which is important. I have seen him bowl,”
Vengsarkar Advocates for Karun Nair's Inclusion
The 69-year-old also expressed strong support for retaining Karun Nair in the squad for the next match. Despite his promising starts, Nair has yet to convert them into significant scores that would benefit the team. Vengsarkar believes Nair deserves another opportunity to showcase his talent and hopes for a century in the upcoming game.
The next match is scheduled to take place at Old Trafford in Manchester, with expected changes to the lineup led by Shubman Gill. The match is set to begin on July 23, and a loss for India could result in a series defeat, which would hinder their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final in 2027.