ENG vs IND 2025: I am surprised Arshdeep Singh didn't play first Test - Monty Panesar

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar opined that Arshdeep Singh should have been playing from the outset in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. The left-arm seamer received a call-up to the Indian Test team for the five-match tour of England. However, he is the only fast bowler in the side who hasn't had a game yet.

Arshdeep not only provides a different dimension with his left-arm bowling, but he also has considerable experience of bowling in English conditions due to his stint in County cricket.

Panesar said that he was surprised not to see Arshdeep playing from the first Test itself as he can bowl good angles and could be a handful in English conditions.

"Arshdeep Singh needs to play. I am surprised that he didn't play the first Test match. He can bowl good angles, and a left-arm seam is going to be a really good option. He should be very good on these English conditions," Panesar was quoted as saying by India Today.

Jasprit Bumrah should play the next match: Monty Panesar

Ahead of the series, head coach Gautam Gambhir had mentioned that Jasprit Bumrah will only play only three out of the five games. The Gujarat seamer has played two out of the first three Tests so far and Panesar believes that he should be a part of the upcoming fourth Test in Manchester as the pitch offers more pace and bounce than any other venue in the country.

"Jasprit Bumrah should play the next match. It is a must-win match for India. They need to play their best attack. Bumrah has to play the next Test. It is the pitch with the most pace and bounce in the country, so he has to play," he added.

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the team management will take a call on Bumrah's participation once they reach Manchester. He stated that the management will take a lot of factors into consideration before deciding on Bumrah's involvement.

“We'll make that call on Bumrah in Manchester. It’s clear the series is on the line now, so we're leaning toward playing him. But we must look at the bigger picture - how many days of cricket we expect, our best chance of winning in Manchester, and how that fits with the Oval Test that follows,” he added.