Kuldeep Yadav has been one of India’s successful spinners ever since his debut in the longest format of the game, picking up 56 wickets in 13 matches so far. But in the ongoing England Test series, Kuldeep is yet to play a single game. Many even thought that the ongoing Manchester Test would see him getting a place in the final XI, but the management opted to go ahead without him.
However, Kuldeep’s coach, Kapil Pandey, is not quite impressed with Team India’s decision to sit out the left-arm wrist spinner.
“We have to decide whether we are looking for a batter or a bowler. If he is a bowler, he should play as a bowler, and he is a top performer, who picked 21 wickets against England in only six Tests. And he also has a hundred (117) in the Ranji Trophy, if you are talking about batting. Three years ago, he also had a 40 against Bangladesh in international cricket,” he told SportsBoom.
The coach also pointed out Kuldeep’s form in the Champions Trophy and Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I thought he would play all five Tests given his form in the ICC Champions Trophy [seven wickets in five matches], and the Indian Premier League [15 wickets in 14]. He is one rare spin bowler who has two ODI hat-tricks. Suddenly, I think people have forgotten about the champion Kuldeep Yadav. Whenever they have dropped a player, it has been him,” he added.
Pandey also brought in a comparison with how the England team has consistently backed their bowler Shoaib Bashir during the ongoing Test series.
“It is strange that India is using left-arm spinners despite having a wrist spinner in the mix. Look at how Shane Warne fared in the English conditions. England doesn’t have an option. They don’t have a world-class spinner like Yadav. I feel sad that Bashir played three Tests, but Yadav didn’t play one. Our players are getting out to Bashir is more surprising. I think I can also bowl like Bashir (laughs),” Pandey said.
Pandey also called out India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill over squad selection and warned that Anshul Kamboj’s career could be under threat if he fails to perform in a crucial match, with India currently trailing 1–2 in the series.
“They flew in pacer Anshul Kamboj from India, and he is playing the match. It can’t happen without the recommendation of the coach or captain. I don’t have a problem if anybody gets an opportunity, but imagine the pressure of playing in a series-defining match. If he fails to perform, his career will be over.”
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