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Not selecting Kuldeep Yadav for the first two Tests of the England series has drawn sharp criticism, with former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer calling the decision “stupid” and reflective of poor judgment by the team management.
“Kuldeep should have played from the very beginning. He’s a match-winner — a genuine wrist-spinner who can turn the ball even on a glass pitch,” Engineer told CricBlogger on Friday. “The Indian team has been ignorant. It’s a stupid decision not to play him.”
Kuldeep’s ability to break partnerships and his recent form across formats have only amplified the questions surrounding his omission from the initial lineups. As India continues to seek bowling breakthroughs on unresponsive tracks, Engineer’s remarks highlight a growing sentiment: ignoring Kuldeep is a mistake the team cannot afford for long.
“Even in the second Test, his presence would have made a lot of difference. I hope he gets picked in the next game,” he said.
Engineer also questioned the broader strategy of the Indian team management, particularly the approach toward bowling combinations and player workloads.
“India needs bowlers who can take twenty wickets. Otherwise, what’s the point?” he asked. He further took issue with Jasprit Bumrah’s limited participation in the series. “Even Bumrah deciding to play only three Tests in a five-match series — with so many gaps between games — isn’t the right way to approach a Test series you want to win.”
With the series. finely poised, Engineer’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among fans and experts that India cannot afford to bench proven match-winners. Not at any cost!
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Very good article. Truly said for the long time bench player of test cricket.
It’s a really bad decision for Blue XI not to keep Kuldeep in the team. He has already been done it before on these kind of wickets. A geniune leg spinner with good accuracy can turn the game.
True. Kuldeep sud have played. All the ex-players know what the final xi sud be.