“Your team needs to be solid” - Navjot Sidhu pushes for major inclusion ahead of India’s final Test vs England

The fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India is set to be played at The Oval on July 31. The Three Lions are leading the series 2-1. However, as the teams prepare for the last dance, the spotlight isn’t only on the players; it’s also on the selectors. Because this isn’t just about picking the best XI, it’s about picking the right XI for the right moment.

In a series where India’s bowling has often lacked teeth when it mattered most, former cricketers and analysts are urging a rethink. One voice, in particular, has stood out. Navjot Singh Sidhu, never one to shy away from bold calls, believes the answer lies in a wrist-spinner. And not just any wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav. 

On his YouTube channel, Sidhu passionately laid out the case, arguing that Kuldeep should not just feature but bat at number eight. “If you talk about Shardul, or even Washington, Kuldeep has more wickets than them. At The Oval, on day three and four, when the surface is scruffed up, a wrist-spinner will be key,” Sidhu said, also highlighting Kuldeep’s partnership with Dhruv Jurel in Ranchi as proof he’s more than handy with the bat. “If you want to level the series, your team needs to be solid. And Kuldeep is no mug with the bat. During a Test in Ranchi, Kuldeep had a partnership with Dhruv Jurel,” he added.

And Sidhu’s not alone. From R. Ashwin to Sunil Gavaskar and even Michael Clarke, the consensus is forming: India needs a match-winner with the ball in their middle overs. With 18 wickets in just three Tests this year, Kuldeep has quietly become one of India's most threatening red-ball options. His ability to turn the ball on any surface, and his mental toughness, could prove invaluable if India want to push for a win in what's expected to be spin-friendly conditions from day three.

Reports suggest India might finally lean toward a three-spinner strategy, with Kuldeep joining Jadeja and Washington in a revamped attack. If they go that route, it could mark a rare but bold selection in English conditions, and one that might just tilt the game in India’s favor. However, if Kuldeep is included in the squad, there are high chances that India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah would miss the final Test. So, it’s indeed a difficult decision for the Indian selectors.