"You've got to take some hard calls" - Former India cricketer wants Mohammed Siraj dropped for ENG vs IND 2025 2nd Test

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has urged the team management to take some tough calls ahead of the second Test against England in Birmingham, which begins on Wednesday, July 2. The 59-year-old believes the tourists should only play one pacer in between Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, picking the latter between the two.

The remarks came even as Siraj (37 Tests) remains the most experienced fast bowler for India behind Jasprit Bumrah (46 Tests) in the ongoing series. However, the Hyderabad-born pacer managed to take just two wickets as compared to Krishna’s five scalps in the opening Test in Leeds.

Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo's YouTube channel:

“7:02 – (Siraj or Krishna?) This is where you’ve got to take some hard calls. It’s easier for me because Siraj is your senior bowler. He bowled his heart out and he had one good spell at Headingley, plus he’s got a body of work, but you’ve got to look at current reality.” “I thought towards the end of the Test match, Prasidh Krishna looked more like a go-to bowler for Shubman Gill to get wickets. So, based on that, I might go with Prasidh Krishna. Will be a hard call, but it’s just based on the current form of Mohammed Siraj compared to Prasidh Krishna and find a way for him to be a little more economical,” he added.

Manjrekar’s remarks came as he picked left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav to replace Siraj in his choice for India's playing XI. The cricketer-turned-commentator continued:

“6:46 – Not play seamers just because you are in a country where seam works. So, I would drop a seamer and get Kuldeep Yadav in and Nitish Reddy in place of Shardul Thakur.”

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Manjrekar said in the same video:

“3:56 – The talk of the other spinner in the side…it’s the confirmation of Gautam Gambhir playing a role in that particular selection because he tends to go that way. Washi instead of Kuldeep Yadav.” “5:08 – The kind of advantage he gives a team like India. One – there’s been bazball, and Kuldeep Yadav is not an easy bowler for a lot of the English batters to play that kind of cricket against. Plus, when you have an exceptional wicket-taker. If he gets you four wickets, that’s almost 150 runs minus of the opposition score. He actually will make a difference on the field,” he added.

Kuldeep Yadav has 56 scalps in 13 Tests, including four fifers. He returned wicketless in his only Test in England (Lord’s in 2018).

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Edited by James Kuanal