India made three changes to their playing XI for the fourth Test against England, which got underway on Wednesday (July 22) at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Two changes were forced due to injuries as Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur came in place of Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy, respectively. One unforced change also took place, with Sai Sudharsan replacing struggling Karun Nair in the line-up.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu criticized the Indian team management’s decision to include Shardul in the penultimate Test.

Sidhu questioned the reliance on 'bits-and-pieces' players in Test cricket, stressing the need for specialists. He argued that Shardul is not utilised effectively as a bowler and raised concerns about compromising bowling strength for batting depth.

“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 said.

“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 added.

Sidhu also pointed out that even someone of Ravindra Jadeja’s caliber had struggled to pick wickets in the earlier Tests despite favourable conditions.

“Even Jadeja could not pick wickets in the first two Tests with the rough. Batting, fielding, as an all-rounder, par excellence,” he said, praising Jadeja’s overall value but emphasizing the need for wicket-taking bowlers.

Sidhu doubled down on his criticism by questioning the need of having 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 remarked.

Half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan guided India to 264/4 at stumps on Day 1 in Manchester. Ravindra Jadeja (19*) and Shardul Thakur (19*) will resume the innings on the second day.

“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,” Sidhu opined.