Washington Sundar was preferred for his added batting capabilities over Kuldeep.
Former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar was “very surprised” that left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav wasn’t picked for the series-deciding fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia being played at The Gabba, Brisbane from Friday (January 15).
Multiple injuries in the Indian camp forced the tourists to make four changes to their playing XI from the Sydney Test.
Team India handed Test debuts to T Natarajan and Washington Sundar while recalled Shardul Thakur and Mayank Agarwal for the final Test against Australia at The Gabba.
Kuldeep was the major name missing in India’s playing XI for the Brisbane Test as the tourists went with a four-pronged pace attack with Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj being the other two pacers and Agarkar doesn’t think it was a good selection for the crucial series decider Test.
Agarkar said on the 'Extraaa Innings' show on Sony Sports Network: “I think Kuldeep should be very disappointed, and why shouldn’t he? After the last Test of the last series, he was the No. 1 spinner for India. He hasn’t played a Test since I think.
If you're going in with five bowlers, which they've obviously looked at the experience and perhaps thought need a cushion. But why not play another spinner? It gives you that balance in the attack. If the pitch flattens out, and there isn’t much for the quicks, then suddenly it becomes a one-dimensional attack.”
He further explained, “Even in that attack, there isn’t anyone like a Mitchell Starc, who’s out and out like a quick bowler. So if there a sameness in the attack, then you might as well provide that variety that Kuldeep provides. He’s done well earlier in Australia and yes, there is this thing about him that he bowls a little slow but conditions here will afford him that pace naturally. So very surprised that he’s not playing and he must be very disappointed.”
Agarkar signed off by saying, “He’s your third spinner of this tour. If Jadeja is being considered an out and out all-rounder, then Kuldeep is the second spinner. And then there’s a guy who’s not part of the squad and he comes and plays ahead of you. So I’m not too sure what to think. I mean that guy has got five wickets in Australia. I don’t think it was a good selection.”
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)