Kuldeep Yadav warmed the bench right through the England Test tour.
Before the start of the marquee tour, one expected the wrist-spinner to spin a web around the English batters. However, he didn’t get a chance throughout the five-match series.
Kuldeep Yadav boasts an impressive record against England, with 21 wickets in six Tests at an average of 22.28, including a five-wicket haul.
Sharing his thoughts on the same, former Australian captain Michael Clarke expressed that India missed a trick by not playing Kuldeep, suggesting his 'X-factor' could have helped take 20 wickets.
Clarke also acknowledged Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar's exceptional all-round performances, highlighting their significant batting contributions along with bowling efforts, which cemented their spots in the team.
"The talk around Kuldeep Yadav, I don't think, changes. He didn't play a part in the series. I think he could have helped India take 20 wickets in this series. But you can't take anything from these two (Sundar and Jadeja). With the bat, they've been exceptional, with the ball, they've been exceptional. So, I don't think anybody can criticise those two players, these two spinners. The part of the impact they had in this series deserved their spot, grabbed it with both hands," Clarke said on his YouTube channel Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
After warming the bench for the entire England tour, Kuldeep Yadav is set to return to action in the upcoming Duleep Trophy for Central Zone.
"But I do think Kuldeep will continue to be a talking point because I think he's that X-factor for all of India. He could've helped them throughout this series to take 20 wickets. And then the two spinners, their batting is underrated. Has always been underrated for someone like Jadeja. He scores so many important runs for India. And, Washington Sundar another fifty as well," Clarke added.
India won the fifth Test against England at the Oval by a narrow margin of six runs, thereby ending the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in a 2-2 draw.
When Shubman Gill’s men landed in England, no one gave them a chance following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, the team in transition proved everyone wrong as they gave the hosts a run of their money in all five Test matches.