Why Is Kuldeep Yadav Still Being Ignored Despite His Strong Record

The fourth India versus England Test is ongoing and again fans are puzzled why Kuldeep Yadav is not included in the playing eleven. Even with the spinner's proven capabilities and good record particularly against England he is still consistently omitted from the side. Ex-cricketers and coaches have questioned this continued exclusion and think Kuldeep should be shown more respect and faith by the Indian team management.

Kuldeep Yadav's former coach during his childhood, Kapil Pandey, had spoken about his disappointment and puzzlement over keeping Kuldeep out of all the Test matches until now. He was critical of the fact that England's batting order has fared poorly against spin and yet India has been depending on all-rounders such as Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Though both are good players Pandey feels that a proper wrist-spinner like Kuldeep would have brought more variation and efficacy in English conditions. He said India is opting for left-arm spinners but overlooking a tested match-winner like Kuldeep who possesses a rare skill set and the capacity to give troubles even on flat tracks.

Kapil Pandey was not hiding his irritation when he compared Bashir's performance for England's young spinner against the missing Kuldeep. Bashir has played three Test matches already and even picked crucial wickets whereas Kuldeep has not played a single match. Pandey teased that he also could bowl like Bashir and was amazed that Indian batsmen are getting struggled with a player who has so little experience. His intention was not to disrespect Bashir but to make a point that India is missing out on utilizing an excellent wrist-spinner like Kuldeep who has already proven himself in the past against big teams in big tournaments.

There was also criticism regarding the last-minute inclusion of pacer Anshul Kamboj who was brought from India and immediately given a chance in such a vital Test. Pandey expressed no problem with new players being given chances but asked about the timing and stress these choices impart on a debutant. Somebody like Kuldeep who is already established is kept waiting without an apparent reason. He believed that such choices must be being taken with the support of the captain and coach and may have far-reaching consequences on a player's confidence and career.

Kapil Pandey brought to the memory of all Kuldeep's solid numbers. In only six Tests against England Kuldeep has taken 21 wickets and even has a century in domestic cricket. He even scored a gritty 40 in an international game against Bangladesh three years back. Even though all-rounders may be the target for certain selectors Pandey feels that if a team requires a bowler they should pick one on the basis of their skill and performance rather than their batting. Kuldeep's statistics for the ICC tournaments and IPL indicate that he is still a consistent wicket-taker. He took seven wickets in five matches during the Champions Trophy and 15 wickets out of 14 games during the IPL. Numbers like those do not get easily ignored and yet it appears the selectors have done just that.

Kapil Pandey said something that most of the fans are thinking but nobody is daring to speak out. He believes people have forgotten Kuldeep Yadav slowly. In spite of two hat-tricks in ODI cricket and being one of the few spinners who can turn the match around he is the one who gets left behind. Whether the pitch favors seam or spin Kuldeep has been left out which puts one in doubt regarding what the management is essentially searching for in their bowling attack. Pandey stated Kuldeep traveled on the England tour fully ready and expecting to bowl in the first match at Leeds but here we are halfway through the series and he hasn't played yet.

Exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav has also drawn controversy among retired cricketers and viewers who believe that the team is losing out on an opportunity to assail England's batters with a different type of spinner. With his distinctive wrist-spin Kuldeep presents a variation that no other Indian spinner at present can. His left-arm chinaman balls are few and far between in world cricket and they have given issues to top batters in the past. It was surprising that with so much at stake in this series India has not found it fit to select him even once. Most believe this is a tactically incorrect decision that can prove to be costly for the team.

Even Gautam Gambhir known for speaking his mind has faced criticism along with selectors for not advocating strongly enough for Kuldeep. The move to persist with the existing bowling choices and ignore a match-winner such as Kuldeep is now being seen as a blatant mistake. It could be because of team balance individual preferences or decisions made behind the scenes the outcome is the same Kuldeep Yadav continues to sit on the bench watching from the sidelines.

As the series continues on, fans and experts wish that Kuldeep gets an equal opportunity to demonstrate his talent once again. He has the statistics the ability and the experience to contribute a major difference. If India really wishes to win and overwhelm, they need to believe in tried and tested players who have performed under duress. To ignore someone such as Kuldeep Yadav only serves to create more questions and deprive Indian cricket of its depth and power. Let us hope the selectors and team management see this sense before it is too late.