Making the most of a rare 10-day break between the third and fourth Test of the ongoing series, Team India swapped bats for boots during a visit to Manchester United’s iconic Carrington training facility (Photos: BCCI/AFP)
Updated On: 2025-07-23 07:36 PM IST
Compiled by : Srijanee Majumdar
What began as a casual tour quickly turned into a spirited footballing debate, as cricket greats Ravi Shastri, Michael Vaughan, David Lloyd, Phil Tufnell and Alastair Cook came together to assemble a hypothetical Indian cricket team in a 4-4-2 football formation
While Rishabh Pant was initially considered for the goalkeeper’s role due to his sharp reflexes, Vaughan dismissed the idea. “Rishabh is too small. You need long arms,” he said, opting for Jasprit Bumrah instead. Pant did make the XI, but as a left-back. “Rishabh left-back. He's a little like Luke Shaw. Cocky,” Vaughan added, drawing a parallel with the Manchester United full-back
The right-back spot went to Nitish Kumar Reddy, despite his absence from the Test squad due to injury. “He's strong, disciplined and quick,” said Shastri in support of the young all-rounder. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were named as centre-backs, no-nonsense defenders with aggression and pace
KL Rahul was trusted with the holding role, with Vaughan describing him as 'Like Michael Carrick - sees everything early, technical and a tactician'. Karun Nair was paired alongside him in central midfield.
Phil Tufnell had high praise for Ravindra Jadeja, calling him a perfect fit on the left wing and likening him to Ryan Giggs. In a surprise move, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, not even part of the playing XI, was also named at left midfield, drawing laughter, especially from Lloyd. “He's the worst footballer I've ever seen," he joked. "One-footed, and he'd choke in front of goal." Morkel, however, has a fine Test record against England, with 79 wickets in 19 matches
On the opposite flank, Gautam Gambhir was chosen to patrol the right wing. Lloyd added flair to the moment, mimicking David Beckham’s trademark free-kicks before settling on Gambhir. “For those curlers,” he quipped.
Up front, Yashasvi Jaiswal was placed in the creative No. 10 role. “Jaiswal can be a little annoying but guaranteed like Messi," Vaughan said. Shubman Gill was named as the striker. “Like Matthijs de Ligt - wiry but solid,” Lloyd observed.
