I’d like to see the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav for the third Test: Farokh Engineer

After an emphatic win over England in the second Test match at Lord’s, Team India’s focus now shifts towards West Yorkshire’s Leeds. The men in blue will play their first Test match at Headingley since defeating the Three Lions by 46 runs in 2002. 

Will the playing eleven for the next match be altered? During an interview with Sports Tak, former India wicketkeeper-batsman, Farokh Engineer, suggested an intriguing change to help balance the middle order.

“Firstly, I am a huge fan of Suryakumar Yadav. I think he is a class player. I would certainly prefer him to Pujara or Rahane. They are class players, very good players, but Suryakumar Yadav is a match-winner,” Farokh Engineer told Sports Tak in an interview.

“With Shreyas Iyer out of the team with injury, I think Suryakumar should certainly be in the team. He is an aggressive player; he will get you a quick hundred, a quick 70-80. He is a fabulous batsman, fabulous fielder and a wonderful human being as well,” he added.

Time for Suryakumar Yadav to get his Test cap, says Engineer

“People are usually reluctant to change a winning combination but like they say 'horses for courses.’ It depends on the wicket in Headingley. I don't see it being too different. The Headingley pitch will be a good Test wicket. It's considered to be one of the finest batting pitches in the world. So, I would like to see the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav. He is the trump card in the team,” he concluded.

The third Test match gets underway on Wednesday, August 25th at the Headingley Carnegie, Leeds.