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"Beyond Baffling": Netizens Puzzled As India Ignore Kuldeep Yadav For Manchester Test

Akshita Patel

Fans baffled with Kuldeep Yadav's snub [Source: @KKR_Xtra, @anshul_chouksey, @m_jugh/X.com]Fans baffled with Kuldeep Yadav's snub [Source: @KKR_Xtra, @anshul_chouksey, @m_jugh/X.com]

Team India lost the toss and were asked to bat first in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The playing XI unveiled by skipper Shubman Gill had 3 changes, but the omission of leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav had the fans scratching their heads.

In the last 10 days, the Indian camp faced numerous injury setbacks. Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep, and Nitish Reddy were ruled out with respective injuries, meaning changes were inevitable in the fourth Test.

Fans Slam India For Snubbing Kuldeep Yadav For 4th Test

Many fans and critics expected Kuldeep Yadav to make a comeback into the playing XI in place of all-rounder Reddy. As a left-arm spinner, Yadav could have been a game changer with a unique set of skills and action.

However, in a shocking move, Team India went with fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur instead. He proved to be a like-for-like replacement for Reddy, and the visitors maintained a 4-pacer lineup.

But fans on the internet were baffled. Many wanted to see Kuldeep perform in English conditions, as pitches so far in the series have been more or less flat. Many supporters criticised the management for ignoring an extraordinary talent just for the sake of extending batting depth.

"We will see end of match the contribution of Shardul. I can bet he won't score any and leak runs like taps. Kuldeep's control and wickets are far more valuable to the team. Gambhir must be removed after this series. 2 wins in 12 is unforgivable." - @m_jugh

"Anyways the Kuldeep one doesn’t even surprise me anymore, feels like that ship has sailed." - @ps_it_is

"KULDEEP YADAV, what did you do to Gambhir for him to hate you so much. We need you in this pitch goddamnit." - @cineping

Fan tweets [Source: @m_jugh, @ps_it_is, @cineping/X.com]Fan tweets [Source: @m_jugh, @ps_it_is, @cineping/X.com]

"Wonder why our test team management does not believe in Kuldeep. I mean NKR earlier and Shardul as well, did not get you much runs. So picking Kuldeep over them would have been a good option on the bowling front." - @Raaga_Suresh

"Shardul over Kuldeep is beyond baffling. Even if the team management prefer batting depth, the inclusion of Kamboj makes Thakur's theoretical value with the bat even more unnecessary. Kamboj and Kuldeep offer enough with the bat anyway. Prioritize BOWLING ability at # 8 please." - @FalakRF

Fan tweets [Source: @Raaga_Suresh, @FalakRF /X.com]Fan tweets [Source: @Raaga_Suresh, @FalakRF /X.com]

That being said, apart from Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj will be making his debut, replacing Akash Deep. Karun Nair has run out of his chances, and Sai Sudharsan will replace him at no. 3. Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, has also been included despite workload concerns. Also, Rishabh Pant, who suffered from finger injury in 3rd Test, has regained fitness and will play as wicket-keeper batter.