Kuldeep Yadav Cites Ravindra Jadeja's Presence As Reason For Him And Yuzvendra Chahal Not Playing Together Often

India leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav pins it on the team combination as the reason for him and Yuzvendra Chahal now rarely playing together in the same eleven. Once a force to reckon with, the leg-spinning duo has not played in the same line-up for over two years now.

The successful spin-bowling pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal – India won 32 out of 44 ODIs when both the leg-spinners played together – was separated following a group-stage loss to England in the 2019 World Cup.

Kuldeep Yadav points out that since Ravindra Jadeja is performing exceptionally well as the all-rounder, the team cannot go with three spinners, both the leg-spinners offer very little on the batting front. Hence it is largely down to the team combination that the fabled ‘Kul-Cha’ is not seen together anymore on the field.

“It depends on what the team wants. Team combination matters a lot and I personally feel Jadeja brings a lot of depth in the batting. He scores both with bat and ball. So, it is always tough to choose between him and us,” Kuldeep Yadav told Crictracker.

I should be playing more games to keep rhythm and confidence: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav’s career has gone a surprising downhill since then. He has played just a solitary Test in more than two years, before eventually getting dropped from the squad to tour England. His white-ball mystery and dominance also seem to fade away; the chinaman has lost his place in the Kolkata Knight Riders eleven as well.

The 26-year old reckons he should be playing more matches, and needed to be given a longer rope to remain in rhythm and keep up his confidence. However, that hasn’t happened as he found himself more on the bench than in the middle.

Nonetheless, with the rarity of his bowling type and age on his side, Kuldeep Yadav is willing to work hard and make it back into the eleven. He is likely to be selected for the limited-overs tour to Sri Lanka slated for July.

“I just think I should be playing more games because when you don’t do that, you tend to lack both rhythm and confidence. While being in regular touch, you are always high.

“Yes, the last two years were difficult and very different for me. I didn’t get a chance due to the team combination and sometimes you need to sacrifice your spot as well. However, some games didn’t go in my favour but you always need to work hard and keep the momentum going, your time will probably come,” the left-hander stated.

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