Picking Kuldeep Yadav for 2nd Test is absolute no-brainer: Clarke
The first Test between India and England ended in a thrilling draw, with the visitors dominating the final day’s play. However, the Indian team will be looking to make some changes to their playing XI for the second Test to gain a upper hand. One such change that has been touted by many experts is the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in place of one of the struggling bowlers.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is one of the many who believes that Kuldeep Yadav is a must-play for the second Test. In a recent interview, Clarke stated that including Kuldeep in the playing XI is an “absolute no-brainer”. According to Clarke, Kuldeep is a wicket-taker and would have offered a lot more than what the Indian bowling attack did in the Leeds Test.
“I think Kuldeep is a wicket-taker and would have offered a lot more than what [India’s bowling attack did in the Leeds Test],” Clarke said. “He’s a guy who can take wickets on any surface, and he’s got the ability to spin the ball both ways. I think he would have been a great addition to the Indian bowling attack in the first Test.”
Clarke’s comments are not surprising, given India’s struggles with the ball in the first Test. The Indian bowlers were unable to make any significant inroads into the English batting lineup, and the visitors were able to build a substantial lead. Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, has been in excellent form recently, having taken 15 wickets in his last three Tests.
There are several reasons why Kuldeep Yadav would be an excellent addition to the Indian bowling attack. Firstly, he is a wicket-taker, and his inclusion would give the Indian team an extra dimension with the ball. Kuldeep has the ability to spin the ball both ways, which makes him a difficult bowler to face. He is also very accurate, which allows him to bowl long spells without getting tired.
Another reason why Kuldeep would be an excellent addition to the team is that he would bring a different kind of pressure to the English batsmen. Kuldeep’s ability to spin the ball both ways would make it difficult for the English batsmen to anticipate the trajectory of the ball. This would make them more cautious and hesitant in their shot selection, which could lead to more wickets.
Clarke’s suggestion that Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the playing XI is not without merit. The Indian team has struggled to take wickets in recent Tests, and Kuldeep’s inclusion could provide the much-needed breakthrough. Additionally, Kuldeep’s ability to spin the ball both ways would make him a difficult bowler to face, especially in English conditions.
However, including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI would not be without its challenges. The Indian team has a strong squad, and dropping a bowler like Ishant Sharma or Jasprit Bumrah would be a tough call. Additionally, Kuldeep’s inclusion would mean that the Indian team would have to make some changes to their batting lineup, which could disrupt their rhythm.
In conclusion, Michael Clarke’s suggestion that Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the Indian team for the second Test is an absolute no-brainer. Kuldeep is a wicket-taker, and his inclusion would give the Indian team an extra dimension with the ball. He is also a difficult bowler to face, and his ability to spin the ball both ways would make him a great addition to the Indian bowling attack.
The Indian team will have to make some tough calls before selecting their playing XI for the second Test. However, if they are looking to gain a upper hand, including Kuldeep Yadav in the team would be a great move. It’s an absolute no-brainer, as Clarke would say.
