Kuldeep Yadav has had his share of struggles since the last couple of years, his dwindling form keeping him out of the India team.
Kuldeep, who warmed the benches in Mohali, was released for the Day-Night Test in order to accommodate left-arm spinner Axar Patel. While he never got a chance in the Test matches against New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home, the timing of his release from the national squad also dashed his hopes of playing in the first round of the Ranji Trophy.
The move has left him short of match practice, prompting talk that the team management should have released him in time for the last leg of the Ranji matches.
Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah has clarified that the decision to release Kuldeep was taken keeping in mind the “mental aspect” of the cricketer.
“See, Kuldeep hasn’t been dropped. He was in (the) bio-bubble for a very long time and didn’t get the opportunity to go home. Since, his possibility of playing the second Test was a little less, he has been given rest and have some time with the family before the IPL,” said Bumrah in a virtual media conference ahead of the second Test.
“Players’ well-being is also very important because staying in the bubble is not so easy. Obviously, every player wants to play every game but the mental aspect is also important and whenever Kuldeep will get an opportunity, he will try to do his best. But at this point of time, the decision to give him rest was taken keeping in mind the two-month long IPL, where he will again be away from his family,” he added.
Kuldeep is with Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
Bumrah also heaped praise on Axar, saying that the all-rounder adds a lot of value with his return to the squad. “Axar Patel has added a lot of value whenever he has played, he offers a lot with the bat, ball and the field. He was injured but he jumps straight back in when he’s fit. We’ll discuss our combination but of course he’s valuable,” he said.
Axar’s last international outing came against New Zealand at home last year and he had then missed the South Africa tour and West Indies series at home owing to a shin injury.
