Yadav has been the experts' favorite. The Indian team management has been nearly unanimously advised by experts to include the wrist-spinner in the playing XI, claiming that he would enhance the bowling lineup. However, the majority of those requests have gone unanswered. As India enters a must-win situation prior to the fourth Test in Manchester, the argument rages on. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has now lent his support to Gautam Gambhir's most reliable selection, even if the ultimate choice may not be made until Wednesday morning.

Before the series began the previous month, Kuldeep was supported for a position in the XI, and he was once more supported following India's defeat in the Leeds Test. However, Gambhir continued his pattern of including more all-rounders to bring harmony between the bowling and batting sectors. As a result, Washington Sundar, 25, was chosen for the XI after making an impact upon his return to Indian colors in the home Test series against New Zealand the previous year. Sundar proved the selection was wise. He has taken five wickets and scored 77 runs in his two appearances so far.

Shastri made a daring prediction on The ICC Review, stating that Sundar might be India's future superstar all-rounder in the format in the coming years, and he also recalled his first impression of Sundar.

I've always liked Washington. I declared him to be the man when I first saw him on the first day. Additionally, he may serve as a true all-rounder for India for many, many years," Shastri stated.

In the well-known Gabba victory over Australia in 2021, Sundar made his debut in the traditional format. Despite a spectacular performance that featured a flawless pull shot against Pat Cummins six, he was only able to seize a few opportunities in the years that followed, mostly because of worries about injuries. In all, he only participated in 11 games, taking 30 wickets and scoring 545 runs.

Following Gambhir's outstanding performance against New Zealand, where he took 16 wickets in four innings, Shastri is keen for him to keep supporting Sundar, who he believes may be deadly even in home conditions.

"And once more, he's only 25 years old. Shastri added, "I believe he should have played a lot more Test cricket. As New Zealand discovered when they played against India, he may be deadly in India on pitches where the ball is turning." He beat a few of the seasoned spinners. He is a talented batter and bowled really well.

Sundar could be elevated to the No. 6 position in the following test series, according to Shastri, because of his enormous batting potential. Although he has an average of 38.92 while batting at number seven or lower, he has four fifties, the first of which was a stylish 62 in his debut innings at the Gabba Test, followed by unbeaten scores of 85 and 96 against England at home.

Shastri said, "He's a naturally talented batsman." "He's not number 8. He can go at 6 very soon in the batting lineup."

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