Kuldeep Yadav has had a tough time over the last couple of years. The left-arm wrist spinner went without playing a Test match for two years and then his wait finally ended when he was given a chance to play in the second Test match of the ongoing series in Chennai.
He didn’t get many overs to bowl as he was playing as the third spinner but he still managed to pick up two wickets, while giving away just 25 runs. However, he was left out of the XI once again as the action shifted to Ahmedabad. Washington Sundar was preferred ahead of him as he gave India not only a bowling option, but an extra batting option as well.
Virat Kohli had said after the first Test that he had no regrets about not playing Kuldeep as he was left out of the XI since he didn’t fit into the combination. Now, ahead of the fourth and the final Test, he was asked the same question once again.
“Kuldeep is bowling better than he has ever bowled before and his head space is excellent. He isn’t playing right now due to combinations of the side, we are wanting an extra batting option due to the likes of Washington and Axar being inexperienced as of now,” Kohli told the media in a virtual press conference on the eve of the fourth Test.
Kohli also threw his weight behind India’s batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara, who had been short of runs in the last couple of matches. Pujara was one of the heroes of India’s back to back series wins Down Under but he has managed scores of only 15, 21, 7 and 0 in the last two matches.
“Cheteshwar Pujara is aware what he needs to work on. He was previously criticised for not playing well away from home now he is being criticised for a few bad performances at home. I have said this before, he and Jinks (Rahane) are our two most important Test batsmen,” Kohli said.
India will be looking to win this final Test once again as it will take them to the final against New Zealand in Lord’s, scheduled to be played from June 18, 2021.
