Debasis Sen from Manchester
Kuldeep Yadav’s continued exclusion from the Indian Test XI against England has raised several eyebrows, particularly after he was left out of the side for the fourth Test at Old Trafford. The decision has sparked debate among former cricketers and analysts, many of whom believe India missed a golden opportunity by not utilising the left-arm wrist spinner’s unique skill-set on a surface tailor-made for his style of bowling.
Speaking ahead of the fourth Test on a Sky Sports podcast, former England captain Mike Atherton, who played for Lancashire and knows the conditions inside out emphasised that Old Trafford has undergone a significant transformation in recent years.
The pitch, once known for its pace and bounce, has turned increasingly flat and docile after being rotated from an east-west to a north-south orientation. According to Atherton, such conditions tend to favour wrist spinners due to the grip and variation they can generate even when the surface offers little assistance to the seamers or finger spinners.
“I think wrist spin works well on such pitches. If Kuldeep is going to play, Old Trafford is the place,” Atherton remarked, backing the idea that Kuldeep could have been a game-changer.
The decision to not include him becomes even more puzzling when one considers England’s historical struggles against quality wrist spin. The iconic “Ball of the Century” by Shane Warne at Old Trafford in 1993 remains a lasting image of how devastating wrist spin can be against the English batters. Warne’s magic delivery to Mike Gatting is still remembered as one of the most iconic moments in Test cricket.
Kuldeep, in recent years, has demonstrated that he can be a potent strike bowler, particularly in favourable conditions. In the last Test series India hosted against England, Kuldeep was highly effective, picking up 19 wickets in four Tests at an impressive average of 20.15. Despite his strong performances and being one of the few bowlers in the current Indian squad who can genuinely turn the ball both ways, he continues to find himself on the sidelines.
Alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep is arguably one of India’s most attacking bowling options in the longer format. His ability to break partnerships and provide crucial breakthroughs makes his omission from the playing XI all the more baffling. With India looking for ways to unsettle England’s batting line-up, many believe Kuldeep’s wrist spin could have made a telling difference at Old Trafford.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news