Kuldeep Yadav has been one of India’s best wicket-taking spinners over the last few years, but he has not been getting proper opportunities under the reign of Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.
Ahead of the third and final ODI at Lord’s, Aakash Chopra has questioned the treatment of Kuldeep by the current Indian team management. The former Indian batsman feels that whenever the team makes changes, the left-arm spinner is always the first player out.
India have played Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as spin options in the first two ODIs against England and Kuldeep had to sit out and this has been happening often. Meanwhile, S Sreesanth urged Gautam Gambhir to let Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play as long as they want.
Aakash Chopra raised questions on Kuldeep Yadav’s treatment before Lord’s ODI
Aakash Chopra criticized the Indian selectors and team management for unfair treatment of Kuldeep Yadav. He also said that Kuldeep never got the support like other players. Even Chopra questioned Washington Sundar’s ODI role and backed Tilak Verma instead.
The cricket pundit hit out at the team management saying that whenever the team management changes its combination due to poor batting, new strategy or different circumstances, it finds an easy scapegoat in the form of Kuldeep.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “The more you think about it, the more you realize what’s happening. Why does this guy never get justice? Why does this guy never get fair opportunities? We’re not treating him well, there’s no doubt about that.”
He said, “It has happened in many formats. It has happened in India and outside India as well. He is the first person who has to suffer the consequences of anything, whether it is a change in strategy, the team is not doing well, or the batting is not going well. The first person who goes out is Kuldeep Yadav.”
Aakash Chopra says Kuldeep Yadav did not get the opportunities he deserves
Throwing light on Kuldeep’s Test career, Chopra said that the wrist spinner made his Test debut in 2017 and has performed brilliantly whenever he has played.
Still, the Uttar Pradesh bowler only got a chance to play 18 Test matches and Chopra believes Kuldeep deserved many more chances. He has 79 wickets in his name in just 18 Tests.
The cricket commentator-turned-commentator further added, “As soon as someone is performing a little better, he is played ahead of him, or an all-rounder who can bat is played ahead of him. So, not being able to make a place for Kuldeep Yadav is a joke.”
Aakash Chopra backs Kuldeep as India’s middle overs match-winner
Chopra feels that Kuldeep can be a match-winner in ODI cricket, especially in the middle overs. As the ball gets older and the pitch becomes slower, wrist spinners become more dangerous. He urged the team management to give the bowler a chance before testing him.
The former batsman said, “When we talk about ODI cricket especially, where the middle overs are a bit dull, you need a wicket-taking bowler, and not thinking about Kuldeep Yadav at all in such a scenario, I think it is a bit sad. The right thing is not happening. I think at least there should be an attempt to play him in the playing XI, but it is not happening at all. I don’t like it.”
Now there may be a chance for Kuldeep to make a comeback in the third ODI to be held at Lord’s. Washington Sundar suffered a hamstring injury during the second ODI and could not bowl. If Sundar is not fit for the final match, Kuldeep may get a chance to come back to the playing eleven.