Kuldeep Yadav should play in Kanpur Test against Bangladesh: Sanjay Manjrekar
India vs. Bangladesh: Spinner Kuldeep Yadav should start in the second Test in Kanpur, according to former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who has pushed the Indian think tank to do so.
Ankush Pandey
Sanjay Manjrekar, a former cricketer for India, has suggested that Kuldeep Yadav be included in the Indian playing XI for the forthcoming second Test match in Kanpur against Bangladesh. Speaking following India's victory in the opening Test, Manjrekar lamented Kuldeep's omission in Chennai and emphasized the spinner's importance in Indian conditions.
Since making his Test debut in 2017, Kuldeep has played in 12 matches. He has amassed 53 wickets with steady performances in important series, such as a memorable showing against England earlier this year. He took 19 wickets in four games throughout that series and made significant contributions with lower-order runs. The left-arm spinner, nevertheless, was left out of the first Test in Chennai, when India went with a pace-heavy attack featuring Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Jasprit Bumrah, despite his established record.
Manjrekar criticized the decision and said that India lost an opportunity by not playing Kuldeep, while the Chennai pitch was expected to help the fast bowlers initially. In an interview given to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said, "I think Kuldeep Yadav should not be dropped so easily. Even if the pitch does not turn, India would have benefited by playing him in Chennai because the Indian pitch helps the fast bowlers only for one or one and a half days. After that it starts helping the spinners and when you have a bowler like Kuldeep Yadav, you should not keep him out so easily."
Manjrekar asked the team management, regardless of the pitch conditions, to reevaluate Kuldeep's exclusion as India got ready for the Kanpur Test. Kuldeep is a significant asset when paired with the other frontline spinners, as the former cricket player turned broadcaster noted, even though the surface may appear green at first.
Manjrekar said, "India should adopt the same approach in Kanpur. Even though the pitch is green and the sun is out, they should keep in mind that the greenness on the pitch will be only for the first few hours and Siraj and Bumrah are enough for that. When you have three proven spinners, you should play all of them."
In Kanpur, where conditions may favour India's spin attack as the match goes on, Kuldeep's ability to cause batters problems with his wrist spin and variations could prove to be a deciding factor. As the series finale approaches, it would be interesting to watch if the Indian team decides to alter their approach.
India are leading the two-match Test series 1-0 after their impressive win in Chennai. Some changes are expected in the playing XI for the second and final Test in Kanpur, with Manjrekar and many others backing Kuldeep's return.
