BAN vs IND: Dinesh Karthik justifies Kuldeep Yadav's axing from the second Test 

Kuldeep Yadav in action [Source: AP]

In an interesting move, India dropped Kuldeep Yadav from their playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh. 

Notably, Kuldeep emerged as India's trump card with the ball in the first Test, scalping eight wickets across both innings. 

Therefore, his axing created a huge furore among the fans as well as experts. Even legendary Sunil Gavaskar came forward to slam the Indian management for this decision. 

However, Indian keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has justified Kuldeep's exclusion from the Dhaka Test. 

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik explained how R Ashwin and Axar Patel are still ahead of Kuldeep in the pecking order and called India dropping the Chinaman bowler for an extra seamer an understandable move. 

Here's what Karthik stated

"We have to look at the situation holistically. Ashwin is our number one spinner, number two is Axar because of the performances he has given with Jadeja not being around. That leaves Kuldeep being number three. Just one Test match won't get Kuldeep ahead of Axar. Axar has been doing well for quite some time now, he has actually been the leader of the spin bowling attack when Ashwin has had a tough day, Axar has backed him,

"And if they have decided looking at the wicket that there is going to be help for the medium pacers so lets go with three medium pacers and the axe had to fall on spinner then they went for Kuldeep Yadav, which is understandable."

Regarding the match, India are 21 for no loss, replying to Bangladesh's first innings total of 227. Shubman Gill is batting on 15*, while skipper KL Rahul, who was saved by DRS at stroke of Stumps on Day 1, is unbeaten on 4. 

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