India are expected to shake up their bowling combination for the decisive fifth Test against England, with Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep emerging as likely inclusions in the playing XI. The final Test at The Oval carries immense significance, with England leading the series 2-1 and India needing a win to draw level and retain the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.
As per the reports Indian team management have indicated that left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is being considered to bolster India’s spin attack. Kuldeep Yadav’s selection would come at the expense of Shardul Thakur, who has struggled to make a mark both with the ball and in terms of captain Shubman Gill’s usage.
In a bid to manage player workloads, Jasprit Bumrah, who has shouldered a heavy bowling burden throughout the series, may be rested for the final encounter. The decision is said to be precautionary, with an eye on upcoming international assignments. Akash Deep, the Bengal pacer, is in contention to replace Bumrah, having recovered well from a minor niggle sustained recently. Team sources suggest he is likely to be match-ready in time for the fifth Test.
Kuldeep Yadav’s long wait might finally end at The Oval later this week, with former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif suggesting the leg-spinner could make his first appearance of the England tour in the series decider in London. Kuldeep Yadav made his Test debut in 2017 against Australia. Following that, the 30-year-old played 13 Tests and 24 innings, picking 56 wickets at an economy rate of 3.55, at an average of 22.16.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Test match records
Kuldeep Yadav has a record of 13 test matches and 24 innings. During that period, Kuldeep Yadav has delivered 2,093 balls, concessions 1,241 runs already, and has taken 56 wickets.
Despite limited opportunities in Test cricket, Kuldeep Yadav has done an able job. In 13 Test matches, the left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has bagged 56 wickets at 22.16. He owns four five-wicket hauls under his belt with the best of 5/40. As per ESPNcricinfo, he owns 38 wickets in nine home matches at 23.39. Meanwhile, he has picked 18 scalps at 19.55 in away matches (home of opposition).
Kuldeep Yadav’s top figures in an innings are 5/40, and in a match, he has a record of 8/113. Kuldeep Yadav also has a bowling average of 22.16, an economy of 3.55,a strike rate of 37.3. This only shows how good he is with his bowling action. These figures support his effectiveness and wicket-taking ability, and as a result, he is also one of the most prominent spinners in India in recent Test appearances.
Kuldeep Yadav has played only two matches in SENA nations (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). In England, he went wicketless in his solitary outing, in 2018 at Lord’s. He conceded 44 runs from nine overs.
Kuldeep Yadav , who has been under the shadow of Ravichandran Ashwin, will look to cement his place in the Test squad. The left-arm spinner has so far picked 56 wickets from 13 Test matches. Kuldeep Yadav has played only one Test in England – Lord’s, 2018 – where he went wicketless. His record against England is decent, having taken 21 wickets in six matches at an average of 22.28.
Shubman Gill-led Team India squared off against Ben Stokes’ England in the fourth Test match of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, from Wednesday, July 23rd and the need of a specialist spinner is now the need of an hour as the pitch in Manchester may assist the spinners on the 4th and 5th day. Hence the relevance of Kuldeep Yadav on the field in the playing XI made more sense for Team India.
After the hard fought draw , Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif while praising the Herculen Indian batters has inssisted the need of Kuldeep Yadav in the 5th Test at Oval.
Mohammad Kaif believes that Kuldeep Yadav must be included in the 5th Test
The former cricketer Mohammad Kaif batted for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion for the fifth Test, where India will fight to draw the series. Kaif asserted that putting Kuldeep on the bench in Manchester wasn’t a wise decision. Mohammad Kaif said in his video on Youtube :
“Kuldeep Yadav not playing was a huge mistake in Manchester… you needed a left-arm spinner. I think he will play the next Test match at The Oval because India are 1-2 behind in the series. You have to win The Oval Test. If you lose it, then you’ll lose the series.
“You have to win to level the series. You can’t even draw. To win, you need 20 wickets. To bag 20 wickets, you’ve to play better bowlers in the XI. You need Kuldeep Yadav in the next Test match regardless of the conditions, seaming or overcast,” he added.
The Indian team’s resilience was on full display during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, where they remarkably forced a draw. Trailing by 311 runs, India were in deep trouble at 0/2 before Shubman Gill produced a stunning century – his fourth of the series – and stitched a mammoth partnership with KL Rahul, who made 90. Later, centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar ensured that India batted out more than five sessions to escape defeat, even declining England’s draw offer to achieve personal milestones.
With the pitch at The Oval expected to aid turn in the latter stages of the match, Kuldeep’s variations and guile could play a critical role in India’s push for a series-levelling victory.
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