Washington Sundar was picked over Kuldeep Yadav for the Brisbane Test.
Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav wasn't given a single chance to play in India's recent triumphant Border-Gavaskar Trophy series despite the wrist-spinner was fit to play in Australia.
Kuldeep was expected to play in the fourth and final Test against Australia after R Ashwin was ruled out due to injury, but stand-in India captain Ajinkya Rahane chose to go with the all-rounder Washington Sundar.
Well, Kuldeep finished the tour on the sidelines despite the fact that the wrist-spinner had claimed a fifer in the 2018-19 tour when India clinched the historic Test series in Australia.
Although, Rahane’s brave move proved handy for Team India as Sundar contributed immensely with both bat and ball, as the youngster has not only picked up 4 wickets with his off-spin but also scored 62 and 22.
He also added 123 runs for the seventh wicket with Shardul Thakur to help India win the final game by 3-wicket at The Gabba to register a historic Test series win over Australia.
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Recently, Rahane revealed that Sundar was chosen ahead of Kuldeep just because of his batting skills and that he proved in the Brisbane Test.
However, he said it was “a really tough call” since the chinaman bowler deserved to play but they had to take it for the best team combination.
Rahane told India Today: “It was a really tough call because Kuldeep was there as a spinner and he deserved to play. But then we had to see our best combination for the given day and the Test match.
Washington came in because of his batting. I was thinking about playing 5 bowlers and he could give us that option as well. We know he is a very good batsman and he proved that.”
He also opened up about his gesture as he hailed Kuldeep for keeping a positive attitude while congratulating his team in the dressing room after lifting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Rahane signed off by saying, “Because I know how it feels. I have been in that situation. Before making my Test debut, for 2 years I was just outside (the eleven). I believe that each and every member of the team is really capable of winning the Test match for you and you have got to back them.
I know Kuldeep's role in our team is very crucial and he will play a big part in future as well. For me boosting the confidence of players in their abilities is really important.”