Overview

• Navjot Singh Sidhu labeled Shardul Thakur a “bits-and-pieces” player and questioned his inclusion at number seven given his limited bowling role
• Thakur replaced injured Nitish Kumar Reddy for the fourth Test but bowled only five overs on Day 2, leaking 41 runs as India defended 264
• India trails England 2–1 in the five-match series after the hosts reached 225/2 on Day 2 thanks to a 166-run opening stand at Old Trafford
• Rishabh Pant’s fractured toe ruled him out of the series, placing extra pressure on all-rounders to cover batting and bowling gaps
• Sidhu’s critique revives a long-standing debate over the value of multi-role all-rounders versus specialist bowlers in overseas Tests