Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has stirred debate ahead of the India vs England 1st Test by excluding Shardul Thakur from his preferred playing XI. The five-match Test series, which marks the beginning of India’s 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, kicked off at Headingley, Leeds on June 20.
🏏 Manjrekar’s XI: A Youthful and Balanced Line-Up
Manjrekar’s selection reflects a youth-driven approach, with Sai Sudharsan earning a debut at No. 3 and Shubman Gill leading the side at No. 4. Notably, Nitish Kumar Reddy or Kuldeep Yadav were preferred over Thakur for the No. 8 spot, while the pace attack features Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s India XI for 1st Test vs England:
- KL Rahul
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Karun Nair
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Kumar Reddy / Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
🔍 Why No Shardul Thakur?
While Thakur has been a reliable seam-bowling all-rounder, especially in English conditions, Manjrekar’s omission suggests a preference for form and tactical flexibility. Former bowling coach Bharat Arun had earlier noted that the choice between Thakur and Reddy would hinge on current bowling form and team balance.
🗣️ Manjrekar on the Gambhir-Gill Era
Manjrekar also expressed optimism about the Gautam Gambhir–Shubman Gill partnership, stating that the young captain-coach duo could bring fresh energy and cohesion to India’s red-ball setup.
Stay tuned for live updates from Headingley.
