Navjot Singh Sidhu picks India’s playing 11 for ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test; ignores Shardul Thakur

Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has picked India’s playing XI for the fourth Test match against England. Sidhu overlooked all-rounder Shardul Thakur in his team. The former Indian batter also ignored Kuldeep Yadav in his team.

Sidhu backed Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to continue as openers. The former batter wants Sai Sudharsan to bat at one drop. Sudharsan had returned with scores of 0 and 30 in the opening Test at Leeds, Headingley but he was dropped thereafter.

Sidhu wants captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant to bat at number four and five respectively. The cricketer-turned-commentator said either Karun Nair or Dhruv Jurel can bat at number six.

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington are Sidhu’s spin-bowling all-rounders whereas Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the two main fast bowlers. Sidhu wants the visitors to pick either Anshul Kamboj or Prasidh Krishna as the third seamer in the team.

Navjot Singh Sidhu’s playing XI for fourth Test against England: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel/Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna/Anshul Kamboj.

Speaking on omitting Shardul Thakur, Sidhu said on his YouTube Channel, “I will not go with Shardul Thakur. I feel that if you play Karun Nair, then it’s still fine, as you have the same consistency. He has scored a few 30s and will get another chance; I have no problem with that. But going back to Shardul Thakur, if you want to play Shardul Thakur, go with a fourth bowler. I don’t think India would do that.”

The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.