With England’s skies ready to test nerves and technique, India faces a big call—experience or fresh legs?
The ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 is set to begin. India's red-ball reset commences in the swinging theatres of England, and selection dilemmas have arisen early.
With Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin absent, the team is entering a new era. At the core of the early decisions lies a tactical dilemma—Shardul Thakur or Nitish Kumar Reddy? Both offer something distinct. Both aspire for that all-rounder's slot. Yet only one may receive the nod at Headingley.
Let's begin with the man who knows a thing or two about England.
Shardul Thakur has been here before. In fact, in his four Tests on English soil, he has taken 10 wickets and made valuable contributions lower down the order. His economy may sit just below 4, and his bowling average reads 37.10 in England, but his ability to perform when least expected has made him indispensable.
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And right when it mattered—during the intra-squad game at Beckenham—Shardul came out swinging. Not only did he take four wickets, but he also smashed a counter-attacking unbeaten 122 against a pace attack that included Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. That's no small feat.
Before that, he bolstered his Test ambitions with an impressive Ranji Trophy season: 505 runs and 35 wickets in nine matches for Mumbai. That's the kind of dual performance selectors dream of.
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Even during IPL 2025, Shardul bowled 34 overs and claimed 13 wickets—another indication that he still has plenty left in the tank.
Nitish Reddy brings the spark of youth and the freshness of untapped potential. He has already shown glimpses of brilliance. His Test hundred at the MCG earlier this year against Australia was calm, classy, and composed. He followed it up with useful overs with the ball, too, finishing the series with 298 runs and 5 wickets.
But here's the thing: he hasn't bowled much lately. In IPL 2025, Nitish bowled just five overs, taking two wickets. This has raised questions about his readiness to handle a dual role in England, where conditions demand more from a support seamer.
What he offers, however, is balance. He bats in the middle order and can be used as a partnership breaker. Yet, at Headingley, that might not be sufficient.
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There's no doubt Nitish is the future. His hundred against Australia wasn't a flash in the pan. But this isn't Australia. In England, overcast mornings, seam-friendly pitches, and patient lineups demand experience.
That's where Shardul Thakur might have the advantage.
He's been in the trenches. He knows how to grind away, over after over, until something gives. He may not be flashy, but he's effective. More importantly, he's in rhythm—and form never goes out of style.
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As we approach the first Test at Headingley, India's decision between Thakur and Reddy will boil down to a single question: Do they favour battle-hardened experience or place their bets on promise and potential?
