Gautam Gambhir considered Kuldeep Yadav for Manchester Test but rejected him for shocking reason

A latest report in the Times of India (TOI) has made a bombshell revelation on the star India National Cricket Team left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav being kept out of the playing XI in the England Tests.

Kuldeep Yadav, who was picked by many cricket experts as India's X-factor on the England tour, has been warming the bench for four matches on the trot.

India try different combinations - all excluding Kuldeep Yadav

The 30-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep is unarguably one of the most unlucky cricketers in the world, as despite delivering consistent performances, he isn't a regular member of the Indian team.

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Since making his Test debut in March 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala, Kuldeep Yadav has played just 13 matches in the longest format of the game for his country.

His exclusion was understandable at times because of the presence of the modern-day spin-bowling greats Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the side.

However, when Ravichandran Ashwin retired, many expected Kuldeep Yadav to get a consistent run of chances in the Indian Test team, starting with the series in England.

But that has not been the case as the head coach Gautam Gambhir has trusted all-rounder Washington Sundar to get the job done over Kuldeep Yadav.

Due to several injuries in the camp, the Indian team management has been forced to alter the playing XI combination in the Test matches against England, but despite that, the left-arm wrist-spinner has been kept on the bench.

A part of the management contemplated playing him in the XI in the 4th Test: Report

There were calls made by several cricket experts from across the globe to unleash Kuldeep in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester in a must-win match.

However, India went with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, debutant Anshul Kamboj, and Shardul Thakur as four pacers along with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as spinners.

Now, a TOI report has suggested that the name of Kuldeep was discussed in the team meeting for the Manchester Test, but a 'safety-first' approach led to his non-selection. Notably, Kuldeep's inability to make significant contributions with the bat went against him.

"A part of the management contemplated playing him in the XI, but eventually a safety-first approach prevailed as Kuldeep's batting went against him," read the report.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir removed from India's Test team ownership

He would even turn up at optional sessions: Kuldeep Yadav's frustration revealed

The left-arm wrist-spinner was reportedly frustrated with his constant snub and even turned up for optional practice sessions to impress the coaches.

"Before the third Test at Lord's, he would even turn up at optional sessions and let it rip against the Indian batters. Coming to Manchester, though, Kuldeep has been taking it easy," the report added.

Also, a section called for the selection of Kuldeep over Anshul Kamboj, but in the end, the decision was made to hand a debut cap to the Haryana pacer.

Overall, in his 13 Test matches for India, Kuldeep has picked up 56 wickets at an average of 22.16, an economy of 3.55, and a strike rate of 37.3.