Team India has now concluded with three of the five-match Test series against England, but is yet to provide wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, the opportunity to line up for the side.
Ahead of the fourth Test match, former England pacer Steve Harmison said that the spinner`s inclusion would be beneficial for India, but was not sure to pick the player who will make way for Kuldeep.
Unearthing the uniqueness of the wicket in Manchester, Harmison said as the game proceeds, it would help the spin bowlers without any doubt.
“I think it would, it is not going to bounce for Kuldeep, but I think it will spin, no doubt it will, as the Test match goes on. We have had three Test matches go into the fifth day. I think India have had to have a serious consideration because at this moment their side is balanced,” said the former fast bowler on ESPNcricinfo.
Stressing more on the 30-year-old`s inclusion, the UK-born former cricketer questioned whether Washington Sundar would be the player to get benched ahead of the fourth Test match.
“You can`t drop Jadeja, you can`t drop Sundar. Can you play three spinners? That will be a big ask. As much as I think it will be right to play Kuldeep, I am not sure how you get him in. If you drop a batter like they did in the first Test match and everyone move up one. It will be a big call is it Washington Sundar who misses out. I wouldn`t like to make that call,” he said.
After India suffered a loss by 22 runs in the third Test match at the Lord`s Cricket Ground, the hosts are leading the five-match series 2-1.
The fourth Test match between India and England is scheduled to be played at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. The match will kick off from July 23, and could turn out to be a decider for the Shubman Gill-led side.
India`s squad for fourth Test: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj.
(With ANI Inputs)
