Kuldeep Yadav's absence from the ongoing series against England has been heavily debated. India have faltered twice in the total three Tests so far but Kuldeep didn't feature in any of them. Instead of including him, a genuine wicket-taking option, the management have maintained a defensive approach of playing an extra all-rounder rather than a specialist.
However, with India trailing 1-2 and only two matches remaining in the series, will we witness a change in plans? This question will be answered only when Shubman Gill walks out for toss at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
But as we wait the voices to include Kuldeep in the playing XI is only getting louder. Ravichandran Ashwin, India's second-highest wicket-taker in the traditional format, has joined the chorus, also pleading for Kuldeep's inclusion in the XI. Ashwin made the remarks while speaking on his show 'Ash ki Baat' on YouTube, where he made a wild suggestion of playing the Chinaman spinner as the "fourth fast bowler".
"The role of the fourth fast bowler... play that with Kuldeep. I know number 9 will not be batting. But please, you can do this. You are 2-1 behind in the series. And your best suit. We will play cards. What do we do when we play cards? Play your hand, right? It is called play your hand. So, whatever is in your hand, this is the card. Which is a good card? Kuldeep Yadav is a fine card. Please, give him a chance," said Ashwin.
The carrom ball specialist also hoped that Kuldeep is in a "great mind-space", highlighting all of it depended on the interaction between the spinner and team management.
"I really hope Kuldeep is in a great mind-space. Kuldeep would have expected Ash bhai has retired. My chance has come. My number has come. Obviously, I haven't played much in the England tour recently. But it is Kuldeep Yadav's time to enjoy, right? So, it is possible that in those three games, what the team has discussed with him, what space he was kept by the team management," Ashwin added.
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Meanwhile, Ashwin also cautioned fans to not expect Kuldeep to deliver from the word go. He rather emphasised on the role the spinner can play in the match. "Everyone shouldn't expect that he will get 5 wickets on the first day. That won't happen. You should look at Kuldeep Yadav as the 4th seamer. Play him according to the role of the 4th seamer. But he could come in handy in the 2nd innings and towards the tail end of England's batting. Kuldeep could be a handful even on day 1. Kuldeep can also play the role of the 4th seamer. He can knock off the tail-enders. He can also give 1-2 wickets of top-order," he said.
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