Once Ravichandran Ashwin withdrew from the tests, it seemed that Kuldeep Yadav will take the spin bowling coat. But nowhere is introduced as part of the Gambir test configuration.
During the fourth test in Manchester, Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel mentioned that the management had not been able to find a place for Kuldeep Yadav because of the cushion they wish in the strikers. However, after a work of bowling and management of the dull workload against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, it looked like an obviousness for Gautam Gambir and Shubman Gill to add an X factor in their bowling alley through Kuldeep Yadav.
Kuldeep Yadav to be bench again
But, unfortunately, for the wrist of the left arm, his long tour in England will go without playing time. Unlike the previous reports which mentioned that India could play Kuldeep during the fifth test, new developments have arrived. According to CricBlogger, Team India will make three changes for the oval test, but Kuldeep will not be one of them.
Despite unhappy injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep (High Niggle) and Arshdeep Singh (unavailable for the 4th test), India excluded Kuldeep from their plans. They flew to ApuiHul Kamboj, who made a poor debut and also brought Shardul Thakur, who was the most underused bowling player in India.
What is India’s obsession for Thakur?
Obviously, Shubman Gill does not have enough confidence in Thakur’s abilities, but still according to reports, notably Espncricinfo, Thakur will play the oval test. The reason? Well, this is India’s obsession for additional strikers. Thakur is perceived as offering more stability with the bat compared to Kuldeep.
While Thakur may have found decent blows, you cannot expect a 50 of him every time he beats. In addition, after a formidable battery beat demonstration shown by Ravira Jadeja and Washington Sundar, the team should have confidence in the stick resources that they do not have in place include a much more reliable bowling option, Kuldeep being an example.
In the three sleeves that Thakur played, he only delivered 27 overs, taking two counters at 72.00. These are ordinary numbers for a player who keeps Kuldeep out of the side. Many fans and experts have often highlighted their desire to see Kuldeep play. Nicknamed an X-Factor spinner, Kuldeep could be a real flare holder, in particular against aggressive English strikers. When England visited India in February 2024, Kuldeep played with 19 counters in eight rounds.
Indian team for the oval test
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kl Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravirand Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sunndar Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Narayan Jagadeesan (WK).
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I think everyone missing the point here. Oval pitch traditionally helps seamers more than spinners specially in the first 3 days. Shardul’s medium pace and swing could be more usefull than Kuldeep’s wrist spin. Also consider England’s weakness against swing bowling.
I’m not surprised anymore with these selections. Remember when they dropped Ashwin for overseas Tests? Same story different day. Kuldeep must be thinking what more he need to do to get a game. Take 10 wickets in single inning maybe?
Why even have Kuldeep in squad if you not gonna play him?? Just send him back to domestic cricket and call someone else. This is disrespectful to player of his caliber and waisting everyones time including his own.
Classic Indian team selection lol. Probably they choose playing XI by spinning a wheel or something! Tomorrow they will say Jadeja is injured and bring back some random player from Ranji trophy who last played international cricket in 2015 😂
Finally some sensible selection! Shardul brings that extra batting depth which we desperatly need at number 8. People forget he scored crucial runs in Australia. Plus his bowling has improved alot in last 2 years.
Look at the stats guys – Kuldeep has economy rate of 2.8 in England conditions from his last tour. Shardul economy is around 3.9. Both have similar strike rates but Kuldeep gives you more control. Not to mention Kuldeep’s variations which english batsman struggle against traditionally. This decision makes zero cricketing sense.
So basically Kuldeep needs to bowl with a bat in his hand to get selected? This is what happen when you have management with no clear vision. He took 5 wickets last time he played but still not good enough apparently.
SHARDUL OVER KULDEEP??? Are you kidding me right now? This is exactly whats wrong with Indian cricket. We have world class spinner sitting on bench while playing part time bowler. Gambhir needs to explain this madness!
Good choice by selectors. Shardul proven himself many times before.
Oh great! Let’s just keep ignoring our best match-winner because why not? I mean who needs wickets when you can have a bowler who averages 40+ in Tests. Brilliant strategy guys, absolutely brilliant! Next they’ll drop Bumrah too probably.
This is ridiculus decision by team management! Kuldeep has been our best spinner in overseas condition and still they are ignoring him. Shardul is good but not better than Kuldeep for english pitches. Gambhir and Gill need to wake up and smell the coffe.