Former Indian wicketkeeper bat Deep Dasgupta has suggested changes to India’s playing for the fourth Test match against England. The former Bengal cricketer has backed Sai Sudharsan to replace Karun Nair in the final XI.
Sudharsan made his Test debut against England in the opening Test of the series at Leeds, Headingley and returned with scores of 0 and 30. On the other hand, Nair returned with scores of 40 and 14 in the third Test match as he once again could not deliver for the visitors. The 33-year-old has scored 131 runs in three Test matches against England in this series at an average of 21.83.
Deep Dasgupta said on Star Sports, “Won’t be too many changes in the playing 11. Probably one, if any, and that is Sai Sudharsan for Karun Nair. It’s not like Karun Nair hasn’t made runs; he has got starts but hasn’t made big runs. I believe he hasn’t looked as comfortable. Karun Nair has got starts in both Tests at No. 3, but he hasn’t looked convincing.”
“Secondly, Sai Sudharsan has age on his side. He is a young player and will gain experience playing in England, and for the future, better to invest in a young player. If you have to invest, rather invest in a younger lad like Sai Sudharsan because after this, you don’t know when you will play in England. So, when you get two Tests, invest in Sai Sudharsan.”
Furthermore, the former gloveman backed Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the fourth Test match as India is trailing 1-2 in the five-match series. Bumrah was rested from the second Test to manage his workload, and he is going to play only one Test in the remaining two games.
“Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth Test, absolutely yes. I’ve heard rumors that the plan for him was to play in the first, third and fifth Tests. But now, when India are 1-2 behind, the fourth Test becomes very, very crucial. You would definitely want the world’s best bowler to play. There is an eight-day gap between the two Tests. It remains to be seen whether the fifth Test is still relevant after the fourth Test, but the relevance of the fourth Test is considerable,” said Dasgupta on Star Sports.
The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.
