When play ended on Day 4 of the third Test match at Lord’s, India were 4 down with 58 runs on the board. The visitors need another 135 to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. India bowled out England for 192 runs in their second innings, with Washington Sundar taking 4 wickets.

The team management prefers him over Kuldeep Yadav, who, despite being a better spinner, is warming the bench because of his batting. He is not good with the bat, and the team needs bowlers who can contribute with the willow.

Cheteshwar Pujara highlighted the reason behind Kuldeep’s limited game time in red-ball cricket. “Kuldeep Yadav will have to improve his batting. He is a quality spinner and can be a part of any team’s playing XI,” he said.

“If he wants to play Test cricket, he must contribute with the bat. It is the back that he is not a good batter. If he improves his batting, he will be a part of the Test team,” he added.

Former India and England players have been critical of the decision to keep Kuldeep out of the playing unit, but the decision-makers continue to back the all-rounder. Sundar has added crucial runs to the overall total since the second Test, and now with his scalps in the Lord’s game, there is no chance for Kuldeep to play in the assignment against Ben Stokes’ team unless there is an injury to a key spinner.