ENG vs IND 2025: 3 key changes India should consider for fourth Test. (Photo Source: BCCI)
India narrowly lost the third Test at Lord’s, falling 22 runs short in a tight finish. Despite a valiant fightback, important moments slipped away, revealing areas for growth. As the attention switches to the fourth Test in Manchester, India needs to regroup with clarity and purpose.
Fine-tuning their batting discipline, adapting to conditions, and reconsidering their combinations may be critical. With the series still open, this match provides an opportunity to rebound and demonstrate resilience under duress. If the Shubman Gill-led Indian outfit intends to level the playing field, smart planning and improved execution will be critical.
3 changes India should make for fourth Test vs England:
1. Kuldeep Yadav replaces Nitish Kumar Reddy
India may benefit from deploying a second proper spinner in Manchester, where the ground has historically provided more turn as the game progressed. Kuldeep Yadav‘s recent form and ability to take wickets in large numbers may provide the X-factor that Nitish Kumar Reddy, a seam-bowling all-rounder, currently lacks in red-ball cricket.
Kuldeep brings diversity to the assault and can bother England’s middle order, particularly left-handed batters, with his wrist spin. His control and improved consistency in recent Tests offer him a more offensive option, while also relieving fast bowlers of the responsibility of taking wickets on flatter tracks. As a result, he becomes a suitable choice for the Manchester encounter.
2. Arshdeep Singh comes in for Akash Deep
Akash Deep bowled his heart out at Lord’s but was also seen limping out of the ground, and reports stated that he complained of hip or back pain, something that had also sidelined him from the LSG squad during IPL 2025. This was concerning news for the team management, who are already managing the workload of Jasprit Bumrah. If Akash Deep is suffering from hip pain, it would be wise for India to bring in Arshdeep Singh.
Arshdeep Singh brings in the left-arm pace angle in the mix. It adds diversity to the pace attack, and his ability to swing the ball both ways—especially with the new ball—could help India make early inroads. On surfaces that provide little for seamers, Arshdeep’s accuracy and temperament may be more beneficial than raw pace, making him an excellent tactical addition for the game at the Old Trafford.
3. Sai Sudharsan replaces Karun Nair
Questions over Karun Nair’s spot in the Indian XI will continue to be raised as he has not scored more than 40 runs in an innings since his return to India whites after 8 years. Though Indian team management is backing Nair and giving him the long rope, with 1-2 down in the Test series, maybe it’s time to look at either Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran.
Sudharsan showed grit in the only Test he played, scoring 30 runs, which wasn’t great either, but he brings a lot of promise to the table. India needs someone to stay cool and anchor one end while others play shots around him. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill are all stroke makers and need someone to anchor the other end. Nair failed in that aspect, and maybe Sudharsan should be groomed for the No. 3 space, as he has shown technique and temperament to stay at the wicket and take his time to carry the innings forward.\
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