“He should definitely be there,” Anil Kumble bats for Kuldeep Yadav’s selection in India’s Test team

Kuldeep has claimed 34 wickets at an impressive average of 21.56 in 8 Tests so far.

Kuldeep Yadav | GettyFormer India skipper Anil Kumble has batted for wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the Indian Test squad.

Kuldeep was not named in the Indian side currently facing West Indies in a two-match Test series in the Caribbean.

Speaking to Jio Cinema, Kumble said Kuldeep should be part of India’s Test team and should be given an opportunity. The 28-year-old has played eight Tests so far, claiming 34 wickets at an impressive average of 21.56 with three five-wicket hauls.

“He should definitely be there because he is a very good bowler. Leg-spinners are very attacking bowlers and it is also difficult at times, they concede runs as well but you need to take a leg-spinner along with you and groom him, and whenever you get a chance, he should be given an opportunity,” said Kumble.

“Kuldeep Yadav is a very good spinner for Test matches. He has given very good performances whenever he has got a chance as well. There are a lot of wrist-spinners in white-ball formats. We are not getting to see them much in Test matches,” he added.

Kumble said Kuldeep should be kept alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel as the four spin-bowling options for India in the longest format.

Ashwin returned with 12 wickets while Jadeja claimed five scalps as India demolished West Indies by an innings and 141 runs in the Test series opener in Dominica.

“Ashwin and Jadeja are doing a very good job for the Indian team currently. Both are high-quality spin bowlers. The third spinner is also Akshar Patel, he has done extremely well whenever he has got an opportunity. As I said, Kuldeep Yadav should also be kept alongside them and played whenever you get a chance,” said Kumble.

Having taken an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the two-match series, India will face West Indies in the second Test at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain from July 20.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 16 Jul, 2023

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