The IND vs ENG Test series in 2025 has been a thrilling contest, with England leading 2-1 as the teams head into the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting July 23. With India facing a must-win situation to level the series, strategic changes in the playing XI are under intense scrutiny. One of the most debated topics is whether left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav should replace all-rounder Washington Sundar in the lineup. Kuldeep’s exclusion from the first three Tests has sparked discussions among fans and experts, with many arguing that his unique skill set could be the key to turning the tide in India’s favor. This article explores three compelling reasons why Kuldeep Yadav deserves a place ahead of Washington Sundar in the IND vs ENG fourth Test, delving into his wicket-taking prowess, suitability to Old Trafford’s conditions, and ability to counter England’s aggressive batting approach.
Kuldeep’s Wicket-Taking Prowess
Kuldeep Yadav is a proven match-winner with a remarkable ability to dismantle batting lineups, a quality that India desperately needs in the IND vs ENG series. His Test record speaks volumes: in 13 Tests, Kuldeep has taken 56 wickets at an impressive average of 22.16 and a strike rate of 37.3, the best among spinners with at least 50 Test wickets. Unlike Washington Sundar, who is primarily a finger-spinner offering control and batting depth, Kuldeep’s wrist-spin provides a potent attacking option. His ability to turn the ball both ways and generate sharp spin makes him a nightmare for batsmen, especially on pitches offering even a hint of turn.
In the IND vs ENG series, England’s batsmen have capitalized on India’s conservative bowling selections, particularly at Headingley and Lord’s, where the lack of a specialist spinner hurt India’s chances. Washington Sundar, while effective with his tidy off-spin (4-22 in the third Test at Lord’s), lacks the same wicket-taking threat as Kuldeep. Sundar’s role has often been to contain runs rather than break partnerships, which has limited India’s ability to capitalize on crucial moments. Kuldeep, on the other hand, has a history of delivering breakthroughs, as seen in the 2024 IND vs ENG series in India, where he played a pivotal role in turning the series around after India trailed 1-0. His five-wicket haul in the fourth Test in Ranchi was instrumental in India’s series-levelling victory.
Moreover, Kuldeep’s variations, including his googly and topspin, add an element of unpredictability that could unsettle England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach. England’s batsmen, accustomed to dominating finger-spinners like Ravindra Jadeja (39 reverse-sweeps against him in Leeds), have rarely faced wrist-spin in home conditions. As noted in a recent analysis, England faced only six deliveries of wrist-spin under Ben Stokes’ captaincy, bowled by Steve Smith in 2023, highlighting their potential vulnerability against Kuldeep’s craft. Including him in the IND vs ENG fourth Test could exploit this weakness and give India the edge they need to take 20 wickets.
Suitability to Old Trafford’s Conditions
Old Trafford’s pitch characteristics strongly favor Kuldeep’s inclusion in the IND vs ENG fourth Test. Historically, the Manchester venue is known for assisting spinners, particularly in the latter stages of a Test match. While the pitch starts with bounce and carry for seamers, it tends to wear by Day 4, offering turn and grip that a wrist-spinner like Kuldeep can exploit. Former England captain Allan Lamb, who has extensive knowledge of Old Trafford, emphasized this point, stating, “At Old Trafford, it does turn a bit, and I would have played him straightaway.” Similarly, former Indian wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer, a Manchester resident, advocated for Kuldeep over all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy to maximize India’s bowling threat.
In contrast, Washington Sundar’s off-spin, while economical, relies on natural variation from the pitch rather than creating opportunities through sharp spin or flight. His role as a second spinner alongside Ravindra Jadeja has been to provide control, but this approach has limited India’s ability to force results on wearing pitches. Kuldeep’s ability to extract turn and bounce, even on relatively flat surfaces, makes him a better fit for Old Trafford’s expected conditions. His previous success on turning tracks, such as in India and Australia, demonstrates his adaptability to surfaces that offer grip, a trait that could prove decisive in Manchester.
Furthermore, the dry English summer of 2025 has resulted in flatter pitches that favor spin as matches progress, as noted in reports from the series. Kuldeep’s ability to bowl long spells and maintain pressure, combined with his variations, could make him a game-changer on a wearing Old Trafford pitch. While Sundar’s batting contributions (averaging 24.33 in Tests) add depth, India’s top order, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill, has shown resilience, reducing the need for additional batting cover. Prioritizing Kuldeep’s bowling prowess over Sundar’s all-round utility could give India the attacking edge required to level the IND vs ENG series.
Countering England’s Aggressive Batting
England’s ‘Bazball’ approach, characterized by ultra-aggressive batting, has put India’s bowling unit under pressure throughout the IND vs ENG series. Led by Ben Stokes, England’s batsmen have thrived against India’s finger-spinners and pacers, scoring quickly and chasing challenging totals, as seen in their 371-run chase at Headingley. Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion could disrupt this aggressive template, as his wrist-spin poses a unique challenge that England has rarely faced in home conditions. His ability to deceive batsmen in the air and off the pitch could force England’s batsmen to rethink their approach, potentially leading to mistakes.
Washington Sundar, while effective in containing runs, lacks the same ability to consistently outfox aggressive batsmen. His bowling style, which relies on accuracy and subtle variations, is better suited to defensive strategies rather than breaking England’s momentum. Kuldeep, however, has a proven track record of unsettling top-order batsmen with his guile. In the 2024 IND vs ENG series in India, Kuldeep’s ability to dismiss key players like Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow was crucial in curbing England’s aggressive batting. His wrong’un and sharp-turning deliveries could similarly trouble England’s current lineup, including Joe Root and Ben Stokes, who have shown vulnerability against quality spin.
Additionally, Kuldeep’s presence would complement India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to play the fourth Test despite workload concerns. The combination of Bumrah’s pace, Mohammed Siraj’s aggression, and Kuldeep’s spin could create a balanced bowling unit capable of taking 20 wickets. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar echoed this sentiment, advocating for Kuldeep and Arshdeep Singh as must-picks for their match-winning potential in English conditions. Sundar’s contributions, while valuable, do not match Kuldeep’s ability to turn matches single-handedly, making the wrist-spinner a better choice for the high-stakes Manchester Test.
Addressing the Counterarguments
While Washington Sundar’s all-round abilities provide balance, the argument for his inclusion over Kuldeep is less compelling given India’s current needs. Sundar’s batting has been inconsistent in Tests, with only one fifty in 10 innings, and his bowling, while economical, lacks the incisiveness needed to break through England’s batting lineup. India’s batting collapses in the first Test (7 for 41 and 6 for 31) were more about top-order failures than a lack of lower-order contributions, suggesting that Sundar’s batting depth is not as critical as previously thought.
Moreover, India’s team management, led by Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir, has faced criticism for prioritizing batting depth over specialist bowlers, as seen in the backlash following Kuldeep’s exclusion in the second Test. Fans and former players like Mohammad Kaif have argued that Kuldeep’s omission is a missed opportunity to unleash a world-class spinner against an England side unaccustomed to wrist-spin. With the series on the line, India cannot afford to play it safe by relying on all-rounders when a specialist like Kuldeep could provide the decisive edge.
Looking Ahead
As India prepares for the IND vs ENG fourth Test at Old Trafford, the case for including Kuldeep Yadav over Washington Sundar is compelling. His wicket-taking prowess, suitability to the pitch conditions, and ability to counter England’s aggressive batting make him a vital asset in India’s quest to level the series. While Sundar’s all-round contributions offer balance, they pale in comparison to Kuldeep’s potential to turn the match in India’s favor. With former cricketers like Allan Lamb, Farokh Engineer, and Dilip Vengsarkar backing Kuldeep’s inclusion, the team management must make a bold decision to prioritize a specialist spinner who can exploit Old Trafford’s conditions and disrupt England’s batting. Including Kuldeep could be the tactical shift India needs to keep their series hopes alive and set the stage for a thrilling finale.
