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Yograj Singh claims India could have won 5-0 against England if Arshdeep Singh played, highlighting team selection and all-rounder development.
Yograj Singh has pointed out Arshdeep’s absence from India’s XI in England. (PTI Photo)
Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh has claimed that India could have won the recent Test series against England 5-0 if they had opted to play Arshdeep Singh in the XI. The Shubman Gill-led Indian side drew the series 2-2, with the biggest win coming in the final Test, which was a thrilling win for the visitors.
Arshdeep’s experience in England while playing county cricket, along with his rise in red-ball domestic cricket in India, helped him earn a call-up for the Test series.
The Indian team went with a pace trio of ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. When India were struck with an injury crisis midway through the series, not only was Anshul Kamboj brought in as a late addition, but he went on to make his debut during the fourth Test at Old Trafford as well.
“Even in England, we could have won 5-0 if Arshdeep was there in the squad. We could have won the series 3-2, had we not lost at Lord’s by 21 runs, because our tail enders we pushing it hard,” Yograj said while speaking to InsideSport.
“They couldn’t win it, they couldn’t achieve it, because we never gave them a chance with the bat. If we can make all-rounders (out of bowlers), then our team can once again be like a Sourav Ganguly team,” Yograj added.
The Indian team’s lower order was put to the test when they crumbled in the run chase during the third Test at Lord’s.
The lower order, in a way, redeemed itself in the final Test of the series when the side needed it the most.
Yograj recalled how the Indian team couldn’t see Kapil Dev’s potential with the bat and how he transformed from a pacer to one of the best allrounders of all time.
“The problem with the Indian squad, at the moment, is that we aren’t looking to make the bowlers into all-rounders. Kapil Dev was never given batting in the nets. I was yelling at the top of my voice, ‘Kapil ko batting karao (Make Kapil bat),” Yograj said.
September 08, 2025, 16:33 IST
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