Was it appropriate to provide a Grade B central contract to Kuldeep Yadav? At least, that’s not what his childhood coach, Kapil Dev Pandey, believes. Although it is an improvement for Kuldeep Yadav over his C grade from the previous year, it is understandable why it doesn’t seem fair considering the spinner can now play all three forms and has represented India in multiple World Cups over the past seven years.
Given his consistent performance on the international stage, Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach, Kapil Dev Pandey, believes the Indian spinner should be given an annual contract of Grade A. Kuldeep proved his mettle in India during the 2023 World Cup, taking 15 wickets in 11 games at an economy rate of 4.45. He also demonstrated his abilities in nine T20Is in 2023, taking 14 wickets.
He should have been promoted to Grade A- Kapil Dev Pandey on Kuldeep Yadav’s central contract
The Annual Player Contracts for Team India (Senior Men) for the 2023–24 season were released on Wednesday by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Kuldeep was only promoted to Grade B from Grade C, which was in contrast to hopes that he would receive a significant raise.
Speaking to IANS, his childhood coach Kapil said,
“Kuldeep is perhaps one of the best in the world, at the moment. He should have been promoted to Grade A. He has been performing consistently well, but I am sure he will achieve that place soon,”
“Whatever, opportunity he is getting currently, he is delivering tremendously. I spoke to him a few days back and told him to keep up the spirit and don’t bother about anything else and focus only on the game,” he added.
Four additional players have been awarded Grade B contracts: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Axar Patel, in addition to Kuldeep Yadav.
Only Axar Patel plays in all three formats among these four, and not consistently. Jaiswal has so far participated in 25 games for India. After his accident in December 2022, Pant has yet to establish himself as a wicketkeeper and batsman, while Suryakumar is not a starter in tests or ODIs.
It makes obvious that the spinner should have received a Grade A contract as well, considering that Hardik Pandya, who only plays two forms for India, was given Grade A contract.