Manchester, July 26 – As India continues to struggle in the ongoing fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, questions surrounding Kuldeep Yadav’s absence from the playing XI have finally been addressed. Team India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has offered clarity on why the in-form wrist-spinner has been sidelined throughout the series, sparking fresh debates on team selection strategy.
Kuldeep’s Exclusion Raises Eyebrows
Despite entering the series with momentum and form on his side, Kuldeep Yadav, known for his ability to dismantle batting line-ups with his wrist spin, has been kept on the bench. Fans and experts alike had expected Kuldeep to play a pivotal role against England’s aggressive Bazball approach, especially on spinning tracks. But after four Tests, his name has yet to appear on a team sheet.
The situation reached a boiling point after England posted a mammoth 544/7 at stumps on Day 3 in Manchester, firmly placing India on the back foot. In the post-day press conference, Morkel finally addressed the elephant in the room.
Morkel: “We’re Searching for the Right Balance”
Morkel acknowledged that Kuldeep’s omission wasn’t due to lack of performance but a tactical decision focused on batting depth.
“It’s about finding the right balance. Kuldeep is bowling beautifully, and we’re fully aware of what he can bring to the table,” said Morkel. “But with the way we’ve lost wickets in clusters during this series, batting depth becomes a priority.”
India’s consistent collapse in the middle order has forced the team management to include bowling all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who offer more with the bat. This tactical compromise, however, has come at the cost of excluding a pure match-winner like Kuldeep.
‘Batting Insurance is Crucial Against England’
The Indian bowlers have struggled to contain England’s high-risk, high-reward batting strategy. With flat pitches aiding the hosts, Morkel emphasized the need for scores of 400+ to remain competitive.
“You need runs on the board in England. The way they play – aggressively and with intent – puts pressure on us to bat deep,” he explained. “To combat their style, we need that extra batting protection.”
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While Morkel’s justification is rooted in team balance, the decision has drawn criticism for being overly defensive, especially on dry, spin-friendly surfaces where Kuldeep could have turned the game around.
Will Kuldeep Get a Chance in the Final Test?
With India trailing in the Manchester Test and the series slipping away, team management may be forced to rethink its strategy. Kuldeep Yadav, known for his x-factor and ability to produce breakthroughs, might finally get a chance in the fifth and final Test — especially if India looks to play on a turning track and push for a consolation win.
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