IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir slams team management for excluding Kuldeep Yadav from Playing XI

India vs England 1st Test: Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir slammed team India management for excluding the left-arm leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the playing 11 for the 1st Test against England at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri-led team-management opted to go with three specialist spinners in R Ashwin, Washington Sundar, and Shahbaz Nadeem while Kuldeep Yadav continued to warm the bench.

The chinaman Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test match two years ago in 2019 against Australia in Sydney. He didn’t get a chance to play a single Test during the recently concluded Australian tour even after the injuries of regulars R Ashwin and R Jadeja. Ajinkya Rahane and bowling coach Bharat Arun preferred Washington Sundar over Yadav in the series-decider at the Gabba. Yadav has thus far featured in just six Tests since making his debut in 2017.

Also read: Axar Patel ruled out of 1st Test, replacements announced

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Gambhir emphasized the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, as he brings in a lot of variety.

“A little unfortunate on Kuldeep to be honest. I thought they should have actually picked Kuldeep against England. A wrist spinner is a rare commodity. He has been with the team, he hasn’t played any cricket so Kuldeep would have been a great asset,” Gautam Gambhir told Cricbuzz.

“A lot of times we have seen how a wrist spinner can turn the game. It’s a little unfortunate and a bit surprised as well that they are playing with two off-spinners. Yes probably because they want more depth in the batting at no.7 and no.8. Again a big surprise was Ishant Sharma because he hasn’t played a lot of red-ball cricket,” Gambhir added further.

Also read-IND vs ENG: England opener ruled out of first two Tests

The former India opener also pointed that the team management has opted for two off-spinners in the Chennai Test because they wanted more depth in the batting at no.7 and no.8.

IND vs ENG score: ENG – 67/2 at lunch

For more cricket news, click here