The mystery spinner has been benches for the last three months.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan is among the cricketers who slammed India’s decision to overlook Kuldeep Yadav for the opening Test of the ongoing four-match Test series against England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
After Akshar Patel was ruled out of the Chennai Test, India added Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar to the national squad, and Nadeem was included in the playing XI for the ongoing first Test on Friday (February 5) – the decision left many furious, and Vaughan called it a “ridiculous decision.”
The left-arm wrist spinner has been warming the bench for more than three months while didn’t play a Test match since 2019 against Australia – India’s last tour when they won the historic Test series.
However, Kuldeep was expected to play in the ongoing first Test against England began Friday in Chennai, but he was again overlooked for a less experienced player ahead of the quality spinner.
Indian cricket team went with three specialist spinners in the experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar in the XI but surprisingly picked Shahbaz over the chinaman bowler for the first Test against England.
Questioning India’s decision of not picking Kuldeep for the Chennai Test, Vaughan has asked if the left-arm spinner will not play in India then where will he play as he was also benched in Australia.
Vaughan wrote on Twitter: “Ridiculous decision by #India not to play @imkuldeep18!!! If he isn't going to play at home with the injuries they have when is he going to play !!! #INDvENG,”
Noteworthy, England has found its grip on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test in Chennai as they were 263/3 at the stump with Joe Root batting at 128 and will return with Ben Stokes on Day 2 against India.
After missing Gabba Test, Jasprit Bumrah made an impressive comeback, taking 2 wickets lately while Ashwin managed to dismiss opener Rory Burns for 33 in Chennai on Friday.