'India don't need Kuldeep Yadav': Sanjay Manjrekar makes bold statement

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar supported Team India's decision to drop Kuldeep Yadav from the playing 11 for India vs New Zealand 2nd Test. Sanjay Manjrekar shared a tweet to support Washington Sundar's inclusion over Kuldeep Yadav in the playing 11.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma arrived with a lot of changes in the playing 11 for India vs New Zealand 2nd Test at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. To begin with, KL Rahul was dropped and Shubman Gill was added.

Pacer Mohammed Siraj was replaced by Akash Deep in the playing 11. Another significant change was replacing Kuldeep Yadav with Washington Sundar. Notably, Sundar was not part of the squad in the 1st Test and was added to the squad ahead of the 2nd Test.

Common sense selection: Sanjay Manjrekar on picking Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav

After skipper Rohit Sharma revealed his playing 11 at the toss on Thursday morning (October 24), former India opener Sanjay Manjrekar posted a tweet to support his decision

"Common sense selection. In-form seamer in. When pitch is offering a lot, you don’t need an artiste like Kuldeep, a tall, quick, finger spinner will do", he wrote on X. Have a look at the tweet below.

Common sense selection. In-form seamer in. When pitch is offering a lot, you don’t need an artiste like Kuldeep, a tall, quick, finger spinner will do. 👍#INDvNZ

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 24, 2024

Meanwhile, the idea worked as Washington Sundar emerged as the most successful bowler for Team India in the 1st innings. The right-arm spinner picked a 7-wicket haul in the match.

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Washington Sundar grabbed 7 wickets for 59 runs to dismantle Kiwi batters

Washington Sundar utilized the opportunity well and grabbed the limelight with his 7 wickets for 59 runs. After Ravichandran Ashwin picked the first three wickets to become the highest-ever wicket-taker in ICC WTC history, Sundar led the spin attack from the front to dismiss the rest 7 batters.

Sundar first dismissed dangerous Rachin Ravindra for 65. Later, he led the series of dismissals with his off-spin as the MCA crowd cheered for him. Sundar got the final wicket of Mitchell Santner to bowl out the Kiwis for 259.

Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin bags a HISTORIC record to script history in ICC World Test Championship

Kuldeep Yadav got 3 wickets in the first Test

Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav got 3 wickets in the previous Test and failed to come up with a dashing show. The chinaman bowler got 3 wickets in the 1st innings but failed to get any wickets in the 2nd innings.

India lost the opening game by 8 wickets and needs to win the 2nd Test in Pune at any cost to win the series. Notably, the previous Test was also affected by continuous rain on Day 1. The rain was a key reason for India losing all of their wickets for just 46 in 1st innings on Day 2.