Former India captain Rahul Dravid feels that Kuldeep Yadav was someone who could have been included in India’s squad to tour the UK for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand and the following 5-Test series versus England.
However, he understands that the chinaman has “fallen away” in the past couple of years.
Kuldeep has played just a solitary Test match since his five-wicket haul against Australia in January 2019, despite being touted as India’s first-choice overseas spinner by coach, Ravid Shastri. He has been omitted from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ first eleven as well.
He has been with the side touring but couldn’t get any game time. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were recently picked due to their superior batting abilities over Kuldeep. And now the leg-spinner is dropped altogether from the 20-man squad as Ravindra Jadeja returns after missing the home England series.
“It does seem balanced. It’s a 20-member squad. The only other one who could have merited selection would’ve been Kuldeep Yadav.
“But he’s fallen away over the last little bit. Also, with the kind of recent performances from Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, they’re clear about the kind of balance they want in the squad,” Rahul Dravid was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.
“With both Ashwin and Jadeja adding value with the bat and having like-for-like replacements in Axar and Washy, they’re clear about the direction they want to take. It lengthens their batting and all four finger spinners here allow them to do that. The make-up of the squad tells me they know their best XI even before they leave from here,” he added.
This is probably our best chance, maybe say 3-2 to India: Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid, who led India to its last Test series victory in England in 2007, has predicted that the visitors are the favourites to claim the series “maybe 3-2” and it is their “best chance” to etch another overseas historic series triumph after Australia and assert further dominance on world cricket. The 20-man squad plus 4 reserves are expected to depart on June 2.
“I really do think India have a very good chance this time. I just think India will be well-prepared, have the confidence from Australia, there’s lot of belief in the squad.
“A couple of players have been to England a few times, there’s a lot of experience in the batting order this time around, so this is probably our best chance, maybe say 3-2 to India. I think India will play really well in England this time,” the legendary batsman believes.
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