India’s decision to bench Kuldeep Yadav in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has come under massive scrutiny after another toothless bowling display in Manchester. England continued to make merry in the fourth Test, and questions over Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion have grown louder. It has become apparent that India have lacked a wicket-taker and their obsession with adding batting depth has now haunted them back. Now, India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has finally opened up and put forward the reason for Gautam Gambhir’s management in ignoring Kuldeep.
Why wasn’t Kuldeep Yadav picked?
After England raced to 544/7 on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Morkel explained that India have been picking sides with batting cushion in mind.
“I think it’s finding when he comes in, how we can find balance and how we can get that batting line-up to be a little bit longer and stronger,” he said while speaking in press conference after Day 3. “We’ve seen in the past that we’ve lost wickets in clumps. Kuldeep is world-class, and he’s bowling really well at the moment, so we’re trying our best to find ways for him to get in. But unfortunately, with that, just to balance with batting throws it out a little bit.”
Horrible selection calls by Gautam Gambhir
Injuries to Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy opened up two spots in India’s bowling department before this match. Arshdeep Singh, who would’ve ideally replaced Akash was unavailable due to injury as well. Despite all this, the Gautam Gambhir-led management chose to ignore Kuldeep, who could’ve been ideal for conditions in Manchester. Instead, India went ahead with Shardul Thakur, who is yet to gain captain Shubman Gill’s trust. While rookie pacer Anshul Kamboj has lacked bite.
India’s bowling unit looked jaded and one-dimensional. Mohammed Siraj appeared fatigued, Jasprit Bumrah bowled cautiously post an ankle scare as well. While Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja picked two wickets each, their lack of penetration on a dry pitch further showed how Kuldeep’s wrist-spin could have made a difference.
Morkel acknowledged the pitch had some spin and admitted that Kuldeep could have come into play. “To be honest, the wicket so far has been dry and it’s actually spun a little bit. So that brings Washington into the game. It brings Jadeja into the game. So Kuldeep, we are trying to find a way for him, but it is just more that consistent runs from our top six that we want so that we can bring a guy like Kuldeep in.”
England batted at 4+ runs per over with ease, with their lead almost touching 200. Yet, India resisted the temptation to play a genuine attacking option like Kuldeep, who had been among the standout performers the last time India played a Test series against England. With England leading by 186 runs and three wickets still intact, India’s conservative choices may well have cost them the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
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