Against ben

Tendulkar Trophy Test: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes time is ripe for the visitors’ to play Kuldeep Yadav at the expense of Shardul Thakur in the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston, starting on July 2, citing that the recent hot weather in England also makes for ideal conditions to play two spinners.

Kuldeep has taken 56 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 22.16, but wasn’t included in the playing eleven for the first Test in Leeds, as England eventually chased down 371 to beat India by five wickets.

"I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come back. I’m sorry to say, but Shardul Thakur has to go out. That is one change India will have to make. As for Nitish Kumar Reddy — I backed him for the first Test purely based on what he did in Australia. It’s an unpopular choice, because when he comes in, the balance does get affected a bit.