The ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India (ENG vs IND 2025) has been a captivating spectacle, filled with thrilling performances, strategic battles, and moments of high drama. As the series progresses, it has sparked intense discussions among fans, analysts, and former cricketers, with one particular point of contention being India’s team selection decisions under the leadership of their young captain, Shubman Gill. Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has been vocal about his disapproval of Gill’s decision to drop young batter Sai Sudharsan after just one underwhelming performance in the first Test at Headingley. This article delves into Manjrekar’s critique, the context of the ENG vs IND 2025 series, the performances of the players involved, and the broader implications for India’s strategy as they navigate a challenging tour.
The ENG vs IND 2025 Series: A High-Stakes Battle
The ENG vs IND 2025 series, part of the ICC World Test Championship, has lived up to its billing as a clash between two cricketing powerhouses. With India trailing 1-2 after three Tests, the series has been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by brilliant individual performances, costly errors, and tactical gambits. India, led by the 25-year-old Shubman Gill in his first Test captaincy stint, started the series with high hopes but faced setbacks due to inconsistent performances and injuries. England, under the dynamic leadership of Ben Stokes, have capitalized on their home conditions, exploiting India’s vulnerabilities with aggressive tactics and disciplined bowling.
The first Test at Headingley saw India post a formidable 471 in their first innings, powered by centuries from Gill (147), Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), and Rishabh Pant (134). However, England chased down a daunting 371, thanks to Ben Duckett’s dazzling 149 and India’s six dropped catches, securing a five-wicket victory. India bounced back in the second Test at Edgbaston, with Gill leading from the front with scores of 269 and 161, leveling the series 1-1. However, the third Test at Lord’s saw India falter, losing by 22 runs while chasing 193, largely due to a batting collapse and England’s relentless bowling. As the teams prepare for the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, the ENG vs IND 2025 series is delicately poised, with India needing to address their selection conundrums to stay alive in the contest.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s Critique: The Sai Sudharsan Omission
Sanjay Manjrekar, a respected voice in cricket commentary, has been particularly critical of India’s decision to drop Sai Sudharsan after his debut Test at Headingley. Sudharsan, a 23-year-old left-hander from Tamil Nadu, was handed his Test cap and slotted at No. 3, a crucial position in the batting order. In the first innings, he was dismissed for a duck, falling to a leg-side trap set by England captain Ben Stokes. However, in the second innings, Sudharsan showed promise, scoring a composed 30 before being dismissed in a similar fashion. Despite this glimpse of potential, India’s team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, opted to replace him with Karun Nair for the second and third Tests.
Manjrekar, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, expressed his frustration with this move, arguing that Sudharsan deserved more opportunities to prove himself. “Sai Sudharsan was always my No. 3 after the first Test match; there was promise shown with 30 runs,” Manjrekar stated. He highlighted the flat pitches and England’s relatively weak bowling attack in the ENG vs IND 2025 series as ideal conditions for a young batter like Sudharsan to gain valuable experience. “When you have flat pitches and one of England’s weakest bowling attacks, you want to play a young player. Karun Nair at No. 3, I didn’t agree with,” he added, suggesting that the team management might have persisted with Nair to prove a point about their initial selection.
Manjrekar’s critique centers on the principle of giving young players a fair run in the side, especially in a transitional phase for Indian cricket following the retirements of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sudharsan, with a first-class average of nearly 40 and seven centuries in 29 matches, has a proven track record in domestic cricket. His technical solidity and ability to play long innings made him a strong candidate for the No. 3 spot, which requires a blend of defensive resilience and attacking flair. Manjrekar argued that dropping Sudharsan after just one poor game was unfair, particularly when other players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul were given extended opportunities to cement their places in the past.
Karun Nair’s Struggles at No. 3
Karun Nair, the batter who replaced Sudharsan, returned to Test cricket after an eight-year hiatus, having last played in 2017. His selection was an emotional narrative, given his triple century against England in 2016, but his performances in the ENG vs IND 2025 series have been underwhelming. Nair, who batted at No. 6 in the first Test and was promoted to No. 3 for the second and third Tests, has managed only 131 runs in six innings at an average of 21.83, with a highest score of 40 at Lord’s. Despite getting starts, Nair has failed to convert them into substantial scores, raising questions about his suitability for the pivotal No. 3 position.
Manjrekar has been vocal about Nair not being a natural No. 3 batter, suggesting that his skill set is better suited to the middle order. “Karun Nair is not a number-three player in my book,” he remarked, emphasizing that Nair’s struggles have exposed India’s batting frailties, especially in the absence of big scores from other key players. While Nair’s selection was backed by some, including former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who argued for giving him a longer rope, the consensus among analysts is that his lack of form has put additional pressure on the top order.
Harbhajan, in a video on his YouTube channel, acknowledged that dropping Sudharsan after one Test was not ideal but urged the team to persist with Nair, citing the extended opportunities given to Gill and Rahul in their early careers. “If others got five or six chances, then what crime has Karun committed?” Harbhajan asked. However, with India trailing in the ENG vs IND 2025 series and facing a must-win scenario in Manchester, the team management has reportedly decided to recall Sudharsan for the fourth Test, potentially dropping Nair.
Shubman Gill’s Captaincy and Selection Challenges
Shubman Gill, leading India for the first time in Test cricket, has been a standout performer with the bat, amassing 607 runs in three Tests, including three centuries. His leadership, however, has come under scrutiny, particularly for tactical decisions and team selections. Manjrekar questioned Gill’s aggressive approach at Lord’s, where the captain engaged in a heated exchange with England’s Zak Crawley, accusing him of time-wasting. This incident, Manjrekar argued, affected Gill’s batting, as he was dismissed for just 6 and 16 in the third Test, a stark contrast to his prolific form earlier in the ENG vs IND 2025 series.
Gill’s decision to drop Sudharsan after one Test reflects a broader trend under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching regime, which Manjrekar described as not being afraid to “chop and change.” While this approach allows flexibility, it risks unsettling young players who need time to adapt to Test cricket’s demands. The ENG vs IND 2025 series has exposed India’s reliance on key performers like Gill, Jaiswal, and Pant, with the batting unit struggling when these players fail to deliver. The absence of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and pacer Arshdeep Singh due to injuries for the fourth Test further complicates Gill’s selection dilemmas, with Anshul Kamboj likely to make his debut and Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna vying for a spot.
The Case for Sai Sudharsan’s Return
Manjrekar’s advocacy for Sudharsan’s return is rooted in the young batter’s potential to be a long-term asset for India. His performance in the second innings at Headingley, where he showed composure against a probing England attack, indicated his ability to handle pressure. The ENG vs IND 2025 series, with its flat pitches and relatively weaker bowling attack compared to previous England lineups, presents an opportunity for Sudharsan to establish himself. Manjrekar’s preferred playing XI for the fourth Test includes Sudharsan at No. 3, alongside stalwarts like Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Gill, Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja, with Anshul Kamboj or Prasidh Krishna replacing the injured Reddy.
Sudharsan’s recall for the fourth Test, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, is a step toward addressing India’s batting woes. His performance on Day 1 at Old Trafford, where he scored 61 before being dismissed, showed glimpses of his ability to anchor the innings. However, the injury to Rishabh Pant, who was stretchered off after a blow to his foot, adds further pressure on the batting lineup. With India at 264/4 at stumps on Day 1, Sudharsan’s role becomes even more critical as India aim to post a competitive total to level the ENG vs IND 2025 series.
Broader Implications for Indian Cricket
The debate over Sudharsan’s omission and Nair’s selection highlights broader issues in Indian cricket’s transition phase. With veterans like Sharma and Kohli retiring, the team is relying on young talents like Jaiswal, Gill, and Sudharsan to fill the void. Manjrekar’s critique underscores the need for patience with young players, especially in challenging overseas conditions. The ENG vs IND 2025 series is a proving ground for India’s next generation, and decisions like dropping Sudharsan prematurely could hinder their development.
Moreover, India’s injury concerns, with key players like Pant, Reddy, and Arshdeep Singh sidelined at various points, have exposed the team’s lack of depth in certain areas. The reliance on Jasprit Bumrah, who has been exceptional but sparingly used by Gill to manage his workload, further highlights the need for a balanced attack. Manjrekar’s suggestion to include Kuldeep Yadav over Washington Sundar in the third Test, citing the potential for spin on a dry Lord’s pitch, was another point of contention, as India persisted with Sundar, who offered more with the bat than the ball.
Looking Ahead
The ENG vs IND 2025 series has been a fascinating contest, with both teams showcasing their strengths and flaws. Sanjay Manjrekar’s critique of Shubman Gill’s decision to drop Sai Sudharsan after one poor game reflects a broader concern about nurturing young talent in Indian cricket. While Karun Nair’s selection carried emotional weight, his struggles at No. 3 have validated Manjrekar’s stance that Sudharsan deserves another chance. As India prepare for the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford, the return of Sudharsan and the management of injuries will be pivotal in their quest to level the series. The ENG vs IND 2025 series continues to captivate, with its blend of individual brilliance, tactical battles, and selection debates, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
