With the series on the line, should Kuldeep Yadav be brought into India’s XI for the fourth Test in Manchester? According to Kuldeep’s childhood coach Kapil Dev Pandey, the answer is yes. Kuldeep has spent the first three Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England on the sidelines as India trails 1-2. The team led by Shubman Gill and coached by Gautam Gambhir has chosen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for spin duties.
Kapil thinks since India is doing well, Kuldeep’s absence doesn’t seem like a big deal right now. But he also says the team is not using the spinner at the right time, given his good form.“That Kuldeep isn’t playing doesn’t seem too important now, because Team India is playing well. Many thought he would play in the third Test, but the fast bowlers did well and took wickets, Kapil told IANS.
Kuldeep Yadav is in good form right now. He was a threat during the ODI World Cup and bowled well during the tournament. Not playing him at the right times has hurt India. In current matches the batsmen have failed, not the bowlers, he added. Even if Kuldeep is included in India’s white-ball teams, he is still lower in priority for Test cricket.
After his debut in March 2017, he has played only 13 Tests but his numbers are very good: 56 wickets at 22.16, four five-wicket hauls. India wants to add depth to their batting by including all-rounders instead of specialist bowlers. Kapil said, “You can’t expect someone like Kuldeep or even Bumrah to score 100 runs – that’s not realistic. Kapil has talked to Kuldeep recently and told him to prepare to perform when he gets the chance.
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“I’ve talked to Kuldeep recently and I told him to stay fit and get ready to perform if he gets a chance. We can only hope – the coach and captain make the final call. But there’s no question Kuldeep is one of the best and most experienced spinners in the country right now, he said. “Yes, he feels good, but he must also be wondering when he’ll have his chance – he’s only human after all. He can be very useful for Team India in Manchester. He said.
