'Don't Want to Expose Him...' Rohit Sharma On Resting Kuldeep Yadav 

image-lmq3r3vvKuldeep Yadav finished Asia Cup 2023 with nine wickets [X.com]

One of the most crucial ingredients to India's success in the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is Kuldeep Yadav.

After a not-so-impressive 2022, a new and improved Yadav has burst onto the scene and created havoc amongst batters with his left-arm leg spin this year. In 16 ODIs in 2023, Yadav has claimed 31 wickets with two five-fers and one four-fer. 

Ahead of the Cricket World Cup in October, India clashes against Australia in a short three-match ODI series, which will act as a precursor, where the BCCI have opted to rest several key players for the first two games, including Yadav, who is included in the squad for the third and final encounter.

As quoted by Crictracker, skipper Rohit Sharma, who himself is sitting out of the first two ODIs, explained that team management does not want to expose Yadav ahead of the tournament.

Here's what Sharma said

"We have been looking at Kuldeep for the last one, one and a half years, this is why we don't want to expose him a lot. He is coming back for the last match. There are a lot of reasons. This is the best decision for us, to have him sit out for two games and play the third. We also have two practice matches (before the World Cup opener), so for the bowling rhythm, he will be back in it,”

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar also expressed faith in Yadav's abilities and backed the spinner as India's trump card of marquee event. 

The three-ODI series begins September 22, and will be followed by a five-match T20I series.