Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from India’s playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka has shocked one and all.
The wrist-spinner won the Player-of-the-Match award for his eight wickets in India’s comprehensive 188-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chattogram.
However, the visitors axed him for the second Test to accommodate left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat in the playing XI.
One of India's finest spinners, Harbhajan Singh has been taken aback by the team management’s decision to drop Kuldeep.
Harbhajan wondered if Kuldeep would be better off not taking five-wicket hauls.
"I think from now on, Kuldeep should stop taking five-wicket hauls. Who knows that he might just get to play two Test matches in a row!" Harbhajan told PTI.
"Like last time when he got a five-for, before Chattogram Test, was against Australia in Sydney (5/99) in different conditions. He was supposed to be India's No. 1 spinner in overseas conditions but he had to wait for more than two years to play a Test.
"Now he played after nearly two years again and has been dropped again. Would love to know the rationale," he added.
According to Harbhajan, security has just become a word in Indian cricket and no one is sticking to it.
"I don't want to name any player but some of the players in the Test set-up got a long rope, up to five years. In case of Kuldeep, it seems that the duration of his security is five days.
"How does one feel safe if he gets dropped after taking eight wickets. Can he play fearless cricket when all that the team management has done is to instil fear in him?" he questioned.
Harbhajan said further said that a performer getting dropped from the playing XI is likely to send a wrong message among youngsters.
"You can never perform if there is a sword hanging over your head. I only hope that Kuldeep doesn't lose confidence because of this as he is someone who should be serving India for another good 8-10 years," he remarked.
Talking about the second Test, India were 19/0 at the close of play on Day 1, with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul unbeaten in the middle on 14 and 3 respectively.
Earlier, the visitors rode on Umesh Yadav (4-25) and R Ashwin’s (4-71) four-wicket hauls to bundle out Bangladesh for 227 in the first innings. Unadkat, who made his return to Test cricket after more than a decade, also returned with a couple of wickets.
(With PTI inputs)
