India's left-arm chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav has done nothing but warmed the benches for the Indian team since their tour to Australia that ended last month.
He was expected to start in the playing XI against England at home when the Indian team locked horns against them in Chennai but was left out yet again.
The England team's failure to play well against left-arm orthodox spinner Lasith Embuldeniya might have prompted India to pick Shahbaz Nadeem over Kuldeep when Akshar Patel was ruled out due to injury and it has not gone down well with a lot of former Indian cricketers and experts.
IND v ENG 2021: "Would've picked him over anyone" Gambhir surprised with Kuldeep's omission
While Mohammad Kaif asked him to 'stay strong', Aakash Chopra raised questions about why he has been picked in the Indian squad if he doesn't feature in the playing XI despite the absence of Ravindra Jadeja in home conditions.
Here are some of the tweets:
Just two years ago, Kuldeep Yadav was touted as India's first choice spinner in Tests. Now, he's battling to stay afloat. But he needn't look too far for inspiration. Ashwin & Pant too fought back from periods of self doubt. Stay strong Kuldeep!
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 5, 2021
There's no justice for Kuldeep. Akshar injured, so the reserve bowler plays. https://t.co/5nC9OlHelU
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 5, 2021
Clearly, England's struggle against Embuldeniya has prompted the selection of Shahbaz Nadeem, a fine, vastly experienced finger spinner. But I wonder what this means for Kuldeep. Clearly the team management doesn't rate him too high at thr moment
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 5, 2021
Gabba - Net bowler gets added to squad & plays ahead of Kuldeep.
— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) February 5, 2021
Chepauk - Stand-by bowler gets into the squad & plays ahead of Kuldeep.
Looks like the think tank doesn’t have confidence in Kuldeep. If so, at least he shd be released so that he can play domestic crkt #INDvENG
Got to feel for Kuldeep Yadav. Played just 5 games last IPL, lost his place in the white-ball teams, didn't get a game in Australia and continues to warm the bench today. He's a much, much better bowler than that. Hope the team management handles him well. #INDvENG
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) February 5, 2021
India’s most successful new ball bowler is introduced. Let’s get going. Also...on the playing XI....What is Kuldeep supposed to do?? Can’t play when Ash-Jadeja are there. Won’t play even when Jadeja isn’t there and India’s playing at home. When does he play? ???? #IndvEng
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 5, 2021
