Kuldeep Yadav’s consistent exclusion from India’s playing XI has once again stirred debate, with former cricketer Mohammad Kaif openly questioning the team management’s decisions. As India prepares for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Kaif urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to include the left-arm wrist-spinner in the side.
Kuldeep made his Test debut in 2017 and has played only 13 matches so far, taking 56 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 37.3. Despite these numbers, he continues to be sidelined in favour of all-rounders or more traditional spinners.
Kaif took to social media to express his displeasure, stating that Kuldeep’s exclusion is no longer justifiable, especially now that Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from Test cricket. “It will be unfair if Kuldeep Yadav doesn’t get into the playing XI for second Test. He has just played 13 Tests in 8 years. Earlier he was kept out because of Ashwin, now how do you justify his exclusion?” Kaif wrote on X.
Jadeja Under Scrutiny After Poor Returns
In the first Test at Headingley, India chose to go with a single spinner, picking Ravindra Jadeja. However, Jadeja struggled to create any significant impact with the ball and failed to exploit the rough patches on Day 5 as England chased down 371 with ease.
Jadeja’s performance over the last four Tests has also come under the scanner. He has taken just five wickets in 110 overs, averaging 78, with a strike rate of 132 and an economy of 3.54. Additionally, his batting form has dipped, scoring only 171 runs with a single fifty in Brisbane.
With India trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, pressure is mounting on the team to make bold changes. Kuldeep’s ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs and bring variation could be key to India’s hopes of leveling the series at Edgbaston.
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