India's Kuldeep Yadav looking to use recent T20 omissions as a chance to do well in Tests

Sudhir Gupta 17:05 21/09/2019
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  • Kuldeep Yadav (l) and Virat Kohli.

    It has been two T20 series in a row now that India have opted against including Kuldeep Yadav in their squad but the young wrist-spinner is not too worried just yet.

    The 24-year-old, along with fellow wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, has been a near permanent fixture in India’s limited-overs squad since the conclusion of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England but has been overlooked for selection in the recent clashes against West Indies and now South Africa.

    Despite the setback, Kuldeep is now looking to use his recent T20 omissions as an opportunity to focus on Test cricket.

    “So far, I have done a good job in the limited-overs format. I feel very comfortable with the white ball,” the youngster was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

    “I am not worried about not being picked for the last two T20I series. Maybe the selectors felt I needed a break. Maybe the team thinks some changes are required.

    “I respect that, and I have no complaints. I see this as an opportunity to do well in Tests.”

    Kuldeep Yadav.

    Kuldeep Yadav.

    Kuldeep has so far made six Test appearances for India since making his debut in in 2017 and the spinner will hope to get more chances in the upcoming three-match series against South Africa.

    He is taking confidence from his most recent red-ball display which saw him claim a four-wicket haul in the just concluded unofficial Test between India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’.

    “It’s hard to play red-ball cricket when you aren’t consistently playing that format,” Kuldeep stated.

    “If you aren’t a regular in this format, it takes time to get into your rhythm. When you are consistently playing limited-overs and suddenly switch to Tests without much preparation, it will be tough to excel.

    “You need to bowl long spells, play practice games, to understand field placements and to know how to pick wickets. It was important for me to come here (India A game) and bowl as many overs as possible. There is still plenty of work to do.”

    The first Test between India and South Africa at Visakhapatnam will get underway on October 2.

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