Former Indian cricket Harbhajan Singh supported Sharduula Thakura over Nitish Kumar Reddy for one of the all -rounded role in Indian XI for a test series of five matches against England, giving seniors a slight advantage. The Battle of Selection with a sharp competition for stains in the 18-member group intensifies before the first test, starting with June 20 in Leeds.
Shardul Thakur has first returned to the test fold since December 2023, on the back of consistent performances in the home cricket and during the IPL 2025 season. Nitish Kumar Reddy, on the other, on the other, Touching in their first test series After he was quickly watched on a tour of Australia. He won 298 runs on five tests, including centuries and four scores over 35 in Trophy Border-Gavascar.
Harbhajan, when he spoke to the PTI press agency, gave a reason for SharDula and emphasized the need for the Indian need for a versatile load that could contribute meaningfully with the ball while offering a bat depth.
“India needs a pitch that can burn a little. The launch set extends up to No. 7 and in No. 8 you need someone who can take goals and contribute with the bat-the Batr, who mixes a little,” Harbhajan said.
“That’s where I think Sharardul has an advantage over Nitish Reddy. Nitish is the right Batsman that can certainly mix, but we haven’t seen much of his bowling.”
“Gautam (Gambhir) is there. He’s a very capable coach and I’m sure he’ll make the right decision,” he added.
SHARDUL advantage?
As Harbhajan emphasized, Nitish bowed only five overs during the IPL 2025 season in 2025. However, the young versatile is working hard to increase the workload before the test series in England.
Both Shardul and Nitish performed in two four -day heating matches of India at the beginning of this month, but fought the ball. It means Shardul got out in the match inside the squad Between India and India and, scoring the Century 3. Day to complement the solid bowling display.
Shardul also brings valuable experience with the red ball in English conditions. All-Rounder Mumbai took 10 goals in four tests in England, including four goals during the 2021–22 series.
SHARDUL, who is known for his talents of breaking key partnerships, bowed over 200 overs in the home season and took 35 goals in nine matches in the ranji Trophy 2024-25, giving him larger bowling kilometers and fit fitness.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan also expressed support for Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the first headingley test, suggesting that the strategy of two spinners could be effective in English conditions.
Indian test group for England Tour
Batters: SHUBMAN GILL (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kl Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwan, Karun Nair
WICKETKEEPERS: DHRUV JUREL, RISHABH PANT (VICE-Capitan)
All-Rounders: Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja
- Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep, Prazidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
June 16, 2025
