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'Should Not Be Dropped' - Manjrekar Urges Rohit Sharma To Include Kuldeep Yadav In Kanpur

Kuldeep Yadav in Test Cricket (X)Kuldeep Yadav in Test Cricket (X)

In the latest development, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has called on the Indian team management to include left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. 

Speaking after India’s dominant victory in the first Test in Chennai, Manjrekar expressed disappointment over his exclusion from the squad in conditions he believed would benefit the spinner.

Kuldeep Yadav's Significant Contribution In Test 

Kuldeep Yadav, who has played 12 Tests since his debut in 2017, has consistently performed for India. He claimed 53 wickets, including a standout performance earlier this year against England. In that five-match series, he took 19 wickets and made valuable lower-order contributions with the bat.

However, despite his proven abilities, he was left out of the first Test in Chennai. India opted for a pace-heavy lineup featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.

 Sanjay Manjrekar Backs Kuldeep Yadav For Second Test 

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar criticised the decision to bench Kuldeep, particularly on a pitch that was expected to assist seamers only in the early stages.

"I feel Kuldeep Yadav should not be dropped so easily. Even if it was not a turner, India would have benefited from playing him in Chennai because seamers get help for just one or one-and-a-half days on an Indian pitch. It starts supporting spinners after that, and when you have a bowler like Kuldeep Yadav, you should not keep him out this easily," Manjrekar said in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.

The cricketer-turned-commentator urged the team to reconsider its strategy for the Kanpur Test, where conditions may initially favour pace bowlers but are likely to become spin-friendly as the match progresses. 

 "India should go with this approach in Kanpur. Even if it's a green top and the sun is out, they should keep in mind that the green top will be just for the first few hours, and Siraj and Bumrah are enough for that. When you have three proven spinners, you should play all of them," Manjrekar added.

India leads the two-match Test series 1-0 after a commanding win in Chennai. As the final Test approaches, all eyes will be on the team management’s decision regarding the playing XI, with changes likely as India aims to close the series on a high note.