Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar wants the national side to drop Shardul Thakur for the second Test against England and bring in star spinner Kuldeep Yadav

Addressing a bowling attack that was clearly inadequate against England during the first Test at Leeds, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the national side should drop Shardul Thakur and bring in left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Even though star pacer Jasprit Bumrah secured a five-wicket haul in the first innings at Headingley, rest of the pace attack- comprising of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur- failed to perform and provide fruitful results.

“Kuldeep Yadav has to come back. I’m sorry to say, but Shardul Thakur has to go out,” Manjrekar said on ‘Match Centre Live’.

“It’s an unpopular choice, because when he comes in, the balance does get affected a bit. He won’t quite bowl like a fourth seamer, so India need to take a hard call: even in English conditions, they must go with quality bowlers,” he added.

“If that means playing two spinners, so be it. Pick your best bowlers, irrespective of the conditions. You don’t have the luxury of someone like Mohammed Shami available, or the full-strength pace battery, so I’d go one seamer short and bring Kuldeep into the XI. He has to play,” he further added.

Sanjay Manjrekar also pointed out that English conditions aren’t as seam-friendly as they used to be, which makes a case for India to consider playing two frontline spinners.

“Let’s also acknowledge that English summers these days are largely dry- thanks to global warming, perhaps- and that does open the door for spin,” he said.

“In a way, it’s time to reintroduce the idea of India playing spin in England. Ben Stokes has already changed the narrative with common-sense, aggressive cricket. India need to embrace the same clarity,” he added.

“There was a time when India would play three spinners no matter what- whether in New Zealand or England. If Kuldeep is in your squad, play him. Don’t go with seamers just because you’re playing in England. I’d drop one seamer and bring in Kuldeep Yadav“Manjrekar concluded.