IND vs ENG 2025: ‘Bits-and-items cricketers won’t win you Tests’ – Navjot Singh Sidhu questions Shardul Thakur’s selection for 4th Test | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has questioned the Indian group administration’s resolution to subject Shardul Thakur within the taking part in XI for the fourth Test in opposition to England at Old Trafford, taking a pointy dig on the “bits-and-pieces” method in Test cricket.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Following Nitish Kumar Reddy’s damage, India roped in Thakur, however Sidhu remained unconvinced. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the previous opener stated: “Even if Shardul makes a fifty, at that number eight position, bits-and-pieces cricketers do well in one-day cricket, but in Test cricket, you always need specialists. If you could bring Shardul the bowler at number eight, then I would agree this is the right selection.”

Sidhu argued that India has been utilizing Thakur extra for batting depth than for bowling affect.“You do not bowl him enough and then in order to increase the batting you compromise with your bowling. Bits-and-pieces cricketers, I don’t think will ever win you games abroad,” he stated.

He added that even somebody of Ravindra Jadeja’s high quality had struggled to take wickets within the earlier Tests regardless of beneficial situations.“Even Jadeja could not pick wickets in the first two Tests with the rough. Batting, fielding, as an all-rounder, par excellence,” he stated, praising Jadeja’s general worth however stressing the necessity for wicket-taking bowlers.Sidhu doubled down on his criticism by questioning the aim of getting a batting all-rounder at No. 8.“If seven can’t do it, eight also won’t. I have been repeating this point time and again. I feel this is again a compromise, and I feel it will not go in favour of India,” he asserted.

Reflecting on Day 1, the place India ended strongly at 264/4, Sidhu admitted India dominated.“The first day will go in India’s name. They have dominated 70 percent of the series but are still 2-1 down. This is the lack of experience — and you won’t find experience in a mall or market,” he remarked.