Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian middle-order batsman, gave some advice to Shubman Gill on captaincy. He also said that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav should play in the fourth Test against England in Manchester which starts from July 23.
Rahane was talking on his YouTube channel when he said that if Jasprit Bumrah is not able to play in Manchester, Arshdeep should play. He thinks India’s highest T20I wicket-taker’s left-arm angle would be very helpful.
If Bumrah can’t play, I think Arshdeep should play since you need a left-arm seamer in England who can swing the ball both ways. His different angle can also create rough spots for the spinners which would help them. So if Bumrah is out, Arshdeep should play the next game.
Rahane also shared a captaincy tip for Gill, saying that he needs to be more ready and think a step or two ahead of the other team. Rahane has captained India in six Tests, won four and drawn two. He has a 2-1 series win in Australia in 2021, including a win in Brisbane where the Aussies lost for the first time in over 32 years.
Every captain is different and everyone has their own way of doing things. But it’s important to be a step or two ahead, be prepared, let the bowlers do what they want and support their plans. Gill can learn as he goes but he needs to be ready and try to get wickets, he said.
In 21 first-class matches, Arshdeep has 66 wickets with an average of 30.37 and his best score is 6/40. He has also played county cricket with Kent, got 13 wickets in five matches in the 2023 season.
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Rahane also thinks Kuldeep should play the fourth Test if the wicket is dry and flat.
If the wicket is like the last three matches, he should play. You need people who can get you wickets. It’s fine if the batting is good but if you score 25-30 runs less that’s okay. You can’t always rely on the fast bowlers. Someone needs to play that defensive role and bowl long spells in one area. It will also add some variety, he said.Kuldeep played one match in England in 2018 and didn’t get any wickets but he has a good record against England, 21 wickets in six matches at an average of 22.28 and his best score is 5/72. He hasn’t played any Test cricket since the first Test against New Zealand in October 2024. He made his Test debut in 2017 and has played 13 Tests, 56 wickets at an average of 22.16 and four five-wicket hauls.
England is leading 2-1.
