With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test cricket, India faces a major rebuilding challenge ahead of their upcoming series against England, starting June 20 in Leeds. As the squad undergoes transformation, former India opener Robin Uthappa has proposed a bold new playing XI, offering strong advice to head coach Gautam Gambhir, including a clear stance against including Kuldeep Yadav.
Uthappa emphasized that KL Rahul should be retained as opener, citing his recent performances and past success in similar conditions. Rahul struck a century and a half-century in a recent unofficial Test against the England Lions, making a strong case to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. For the crucial No. 3 spot, Uthappa backed young left-hander Sai Sudharsan, citing his solid technique and high ceiling in red-ball cricket.
In a notable shift, Uthappa placed Shubman Gill at No. 4 and Karun Nair at No. 5 to inject experience and stability into the middle order. He identified Rishabh Pant as the ideal candidate for the No. 6 position, praising it as his “sweet spot,” followed by fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 7, who offers a fourth seam option.
Importantly, Uthappa chose Ravindra Jadeja as the only spinner in the lineup, excluding wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to deepen the batting and maintain balance. Jadeja’s proven record in English conditions, both with bat and ball, reinforced the selection in Uthappa’s view.
Completing his XI, Uthappa named a formidable pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. The combination, he suggested, offers the right blend of speed, skill, and match experience to challenge England on their home turf.
As Gambhir prepares for his first big test as head coach, Uthappa’s XI reflects a forward-looking strategy, mixing seasoned names with emerging talent, while making some tough calls on selection.
