Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has advised Shubman Gill to play Kuldeep Yadav as the 4th seamer in the IND vs ENG 4th Test. The leg spinner is yet to get a game in England as he has warmed the bench for three Tests so far. Ahead of the Manchester Test, Ashwin pointed out how India could use Kuldeep to their advantage in the must-win game for Gill and co.
Ashwin wants Kuldeep to play in Manchester
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that India should play Kuldeep as the 4th fast bowler. The veteran claimed that the spinner was the right card that Gill should play in the 4th Test and urged the Indian captain and coach to give Yadav a chance.
“The role of the fourth fast bowler… play that with Kuldeep. I know number 9 will not be batting. But please, you can do this. You are 2-1 behind in the series. We will play cards. What do we do when we play cards? Play your hand, right? It is called playing your hand. So, whatever is in your hand, this is the card. Which is a good card? Kuldeep Yadav is a fine card. Please, give him a chance. And the problem is we keep praising him, that he has to play,” said Ashwin.
Further, Ashwin hoped that Kuldeep was in the right frame of mind after being benched for three Tests. He said that the spinner would have thought his time had finally come after Ashwin’s retirement but that hasn’t been the case. Kuldeep last featured in a Test in the series against New Zealand last year following which he was injured.
“I really hope Kuldeep is in a great mind space. Kuldeep would have expected ‘Ash bhai has retired. My chance has come. My number has come.’ But it is Kuldeep Yadav’s time to enjoy, right? So, it is possible that in those 3 games, what the team has discussed with him, what space he was kept by the team management,” he added.
