Will India’s problem of plenty claim another victim, and will it be Kuldeep Yadav this time around? Kuldeep has been a part of the Indian set-up for quite some time now but, despite being a proven performer and delivering breakthroughs when needed, he has been unable to cement a place in the playing XI due to team combinations and priorities.
When we talk about someone like Kuldeep, the problem isn’t about skill or talent, but about combinations. He was a part of the Indian squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy but couldn’t find a place in the XI, even in conditions that were tailormade for him. The case was such that the Indian management always looked for an extra cushion in the batting lineup, which resulted in Washington Sundar being picked ahead of Kuldeep. While Washington made a lasting impact, especially with a century at Old Trafford, Kuldeep warmed the bench for no fault of his own.
Coming back to the Asia Cup, in a T20I tournament, India might look for an extra all-rounder who can launch fireworks lower down the order. A requirement that constantly works against Kuldeep. While he is a decent bat, he offers little when it comes to finishing games in the shortest format.
Add to that the presence of Varun Chakaravarty and his mystery-spin option. His variations are notoriously difficult to pick and add an X-factor to the team. The management might be tempted to pick Varun ahead of Kuldeep. The chances of both making the team together are still open but, as reported by RevSportz, Chakaravarty wasn’t part of the training session yesterday. That could mean that he is being managed carefully ahead of India’s opening clash against UAE tonight.
There is another element to this debate. When the Asia Cup squad was announced, at the press conference, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained why Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out on the squad. He said that it wasn’t due to his batting, but that Abhishek Sharma’s left-arm spin gave the squad an extra dimension that was required. While the comment was to explain Jaiswal’s absence from the squad, it hinted at the management’s mindset, which is clearly to pick players who bring more than one skill to the table.
Abhishek could be the second or third spinner, if required. He regularly bowls left-arm orthodox spin in domestic cricket and has proven himself as a reliable bowling option with consistent performances. If India back Abhishek as a second spin option alongside Axar Patel or Varun, Kuldeep could once again find himself the unlucky passenger.
It remains to be seen what combination India will go with, but one thing is for certain – Kuldeep is the kind of bowler who will win you matches on his day. All eyes now will be on the team sheet.