'Who's making these calls?': Sanjay Manjrekar fumes over Kuldeep Yadav's absence in lineup against England

Kuldeep Yadav likely to miss another Test for India. (BCCI Image)

Kuldeep Yadav could end up being one of the only cricketers who doesn't play a single game during a five-match Test series. India's wrist-spinner, who was left out of the starting lineup for the first four Test matches, could face the same fate in tomorrow's series-deciding fifth Test at The Oval.

Surrey cricket's home ground, London's Kia Oval, has a history of supporting spinners. However, the team's two current spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, performed remarkably well in Manchester a few days ago, and based on the current situation, India XI is probably going to stay the same, barring a few forced changes.

Although Sanjay Manjrekar would prefer that Kuldeep play, his sources suggest that the wrist-spinner might stay on the bench. There was only one argument in favor of Kuldeep replacing Shardul Thakur, but despite going wicketless at Old Trafford, Thakur’s vital 41-run effort helped India reach their 358 first-inning total. Shardul might be kept in the team, which would eliminate Kuldeep's spot once more given Gambhir's preference for having utility players.

"Sometimes you might think you get carried away with the batting form of batters because who could have thought that Washy could be a possible No. 5 in a Test match? And Jadeja as No. 6, almost batting like a pure batter. But India will have to start trusting their batting line-up despite Rishabh Pant not being a part of it. And Kuldeep Yadav will have to come back. There have been so many moments in this series where you would have imagined Kuldeep being part of the Indian bowling attack," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.

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"We have talked about the moments when India could make a difference and win a game. And that's where Kuldeep Yadav could have been really handy. So, he comes in, and Shardul Thakur sits out. But here is what I am hearing. You might see Shardul Thakur playing, and this comes from people who know the Indian coach well. But for me, it [Kuldeep playing] is a no-brainer."

Manjrekar wonders who is making the decisions, particularly when it comes to selecting India's starting XI, and it would be unfortunate if Kuldeep concludes the series without participating in a single Test. The former Indian batter who is now a commentator has publicly stated that he disagrees with Gautam Gambhir's belief that bowlers who can bat should be used. Manjrekar is more traditional, emphasizing the necessity of having specialized bowlers who can take 20 wickets and win games.

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"We will never know who is actually making the big calls of deciding the Playing XI. Is it the captain or the coach? The chairman of selectors also has an important say. But you have to say that Gautam Gambhir could be the one with the strongest voice to pick the Playing XI. Because we saw the same flavour in Australia. Sometimes, what happens is that when a selection backfires, you want to keep playing a player just to prove everyone wrong. I have never agreed with this approach of picking somebody for their second skill. If Shardul Thakur plays again, you would think that maybe he just puts in a performance like Washington Sundar. It's unfortunate that Kuldeep Yadav doesn't play," he added.