Team India left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav benched and he is not part of the playing XI for the first Test against England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
In the ongoing first Test against England, Team India opted not to include left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Despite Captain Rohit Sharma acknowledging Kuldeep’s potential partnership with Ashwin and Jadeja, the nod went to Axar Patel, credited for his batting skills. Kuldeep’s last Test outing was during the Bangladesh tour in late 2022, where his impressive eight-wicket haul contributed to India’s series victory.
Skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenge of benching Kuldeep for Axar Patel in Hyderabad, citing Axar’s commendable performance and batting proficiency in those conditions.
Rohit explained the tough decision, stating, “It was a tough one (to leave out Kuldeep Yadav). Axar has done well and bats really well in these conditions. Probably the reason we went with Axar.”
In the 2023 home series against Australia, Axar Patel played a crucial role, showcasing his prowess with the bat in the lower order as India clinched a 2-1 victory. Additionally, during England’s 2021 tour to India, Patel’s left-arm deliveries, both turning and straight, proved challenging for the batters.
As Team India chose to bench Kuldeep Yadav once more, Twitter was abuzz with varied reactions as fans discussed his exclusion from the playing XI.
Would have preferred Kuldeep as the third spinner. Instead of Jadeja, perhaps. #IndiavsEngland #INDvsENG #CricketTwitter
— Rajesh Abraham🇮🇳 (@pendown) January 25, 2024
Hard on Kuldeep the spinner to be dropped, because he cannot bat! #INDvsENG
— Rohan Deshmukh 🇮🇳 (@ItsDeshmukh) January 25, 2024
Kuldeep is so unlucky to be Indian 😭😭😭
— Odesh 🇱🇰 #TamilEelam (@daddydgea) January 25, 2024
Would have preferred Kuldeep as the third spinner. Instead of Jadeja, perhaps. #IndiavsEngland #INDvsENG #CricketTwitter
— Rajesh Abraham🇮🇳 (@pendown) January 25, 2024
Kuldeep Yadav In India In Test:
— Cartoon Cricket Council (@cccseries) January 25, 2024
-2/25
-0/16
-1/45
-3/85
-5/57
-1/62
-0/23
-4/68
Kuldeep Yadav Not Playing In The First Test Against England!!#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/RUhQ9qFFTt
He would've played 50 tests by now if he was not indian
— Odesh 🇱🇰 #TamilEelam (@daddydgea) January 25, 2024
Strange not to see Kuldeep here.
— निष्कर्ष (Nishh) (@Nishkarsh1108) January 25, 2024
Why we need another Spin all rounder as Axar at no 9 when we have already Jaddu and Ashwin.#TeamIndia should include a wrist Spinner as Kuldeep.@BCCI @ImRo45 @Jaspritbumrah93
Last Updated on January 25, 2024
Senior Sports Copywriter