India’s experienced fast bowler Umesh Yadav shed light on the team’s decision to drop Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test match against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on Thursday. It was a surprising call from the management as the wrist spinner had scalped eight wickets in the opening Test and had bagged the Player of the Match award.

However, as there was a tinge of grass on the pitch, the think tank decided to add meat to their fast bowling battery. Thus, Jaydev Unadkat replaced Kuldeep Yadav in the final XI. Unadkat was able to justify his selection as he scalped two wickets in the 16 overs he bowled.

“It’s part of your journey; it’s happened with me also. Sometimes you perform; sometimes you are sitting out of the team because of a management call. But, it was good for him (Kuldeep) that he came back and performed well. This is the team and the management call (to not pick him). Sometimes we have to go with the team requirements. You see the wicket and, after that, the management takes the call,” Umesh told broadcasters after the match.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka pitch had everything for both seamers as well as spinners. The odd ball was taking off from the length by fast bowlers whereas there was assistance for the spinners as well.

“It’s a 50-50 kind of wicket. It’s not fully for fast bowlers or spinners. Some of the balls are doing something, some are not. We have to keep patience. When I started bowling, the odd ball from kicking from the back of a length, but if you are trying to bowl full, it’s not swinging or going anywhere,” he added.

On the other hand, Umesh Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers on the opening day as he returned with impressive figures of 4-25. Thus, the fast bowler played a key role in skittling out the opposition at 227 runs. Yadav accounted for Shakib Al Hasan, Nurul Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in his fine spell.

India was 19-0 at the end of the opening day’s play and they trail by 208 runs.