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India's Kuldeep Yadav during the first day of the fifth Test cricket match between India and England, in Dharamshala (PTI)
With the Old Trafford pitch expected to assist spinners as the match progresses, former England pacer Steve Harmison batted for Kuldeep Yadav to be included in India’s playing XI for the 4th Test at Manchester, set to begin on Wednesday. However, the 46-year-old acknowledged that adding Kuldeep in an already well-balanced side might pose a dilemma in case India opt to line up with 2 spinners with one being Kuldeep. That would mean either leaving out Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja which Harmison says will be a pretty tough call.
“The wicket in the fourth Test is not going to offer bounce to Kuldeep, but it will spin as the Test match progresses. And with the last three Tests all going deep into the fifth day, India have to seriously consider playing a second or even a third spinner,” Harmison said.
“At the moment, their side is well-balanced. But the challenge lies in finding a way to bring Kuldeep Yadav in. You cannot drop Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja. So, can you play three spinners? That would be a big call, especially considering the situation around Jasprit Bumrah. Picking Kuldeep can be the right move, but how would you fit him in? There may have to be a tough decision — is it Sundar who misses out? I wouldn’t want to be the one making that call,” he added.
Harmison also expects conditions at Old Trafford to mirror those at Edgbaston and Lord’s — low-scoring, lacking in pace and bounce, but breaking up as the match wears on.
“If it’s going to rain anywhere in England, and it hasn’t rained here in almost three months, it’ll be in Manchester. If there’s any venue where you might consider playing two spinners or even three spinners, it’s Manchester,” he said.
While he expects India to weigh up the spin-heavy option, Harmison said England were unlikely to follow suit.
“England won’t go that route, they have got Liam Dawson, but India might consider it. I expect a wicket very similar to what we saw at Edgbaston and Lord’s, one that will break up as the game progresses and offer turn later on.
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“But I don’t see much pace or bounce in it, and once again, we could be looking at a lower-scoring affair.”
(With agency inputs)
English (US) ·