“Kuldeep Yadav has to be in the playing XI”: Ex-Indian player ahead of Sri Lanka Tests

Lately, there has been huge backlash over Kuldeep Yadav’s absence from the Indian side. Despite repeatedly performing up to the standards, the left-arm wrist spinner has struggled to secure a place across formats. India’s recent ODI series against England only made things worse as Kuldeep was part of the squad, but he remained on the sidelines throughout the three-match series. 

India lost the series 2-1, prompting criticism of the team management for overlooking Yadav. Currently, Kuldeep Yadav is in England, playing one-day camp matches for Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav is part of India's upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka, scheduled from August 15 to August 29. On the other hand, former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has been vocal about the spinner's treatment, expressing disappointment over the lack of opportunities given to Kuldeep. Now ahead of Sri Lanka series, he has said that Kuldeep should be included in India’s playing XI. 

“Kuldeep Yadav has to be in the playing XI. I was expecting him to be in the playing XI for that third ODI against England at Lord’s. Not only me, but a lot of the others were expecting him to be seen. Unfortunately, those making the team did not see him; that is a different issue,” Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.

“I think it is a good squad; based on the conditions, there are more spinners than seamers. So, there might be an opportunity to play with even four spinners, because it has happened it in the past as well, where both Sri Lanka and their opposition have walked out with four spinners. So, I think it was important to have that extra spin bowling option in the squad,” Dasgupta said.

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar, who regularly features for the team in Tests, has been ruled out of the series due to an injury. 

“I think it (the squad) was on the expected lines, to be fair. Ideally, Washington Sundar would have been the first-choice off-spinner, but he is not there due to injury. I can’t think of any name that should have been in the squad but is not there,” he said.