'Ridiculous'- Michael Vaughan Slams India For Not Picking Kuldeep Yadav In The 1st Test

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticized the Indian team-management for not picking left-arm leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the ongoing first Test against England at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Kuldeep Yadav did not play a single Test match in the recently concluded Test series in Australia despite injuries to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the fourth Test in Brisbane as the team-management went with the all-round option in Washington Sundar.

Ajinkya Rahane and Bharat Arun had said post the Test series that Kuldeep’s time will come when India plays against England on home soil. And, with Ravindra Jadeja not available due to injury, one expected the chinaman to slot in back in the playing 11.

However, with Axar Patel getting ruled out of the first Test due to injury, the management drafted Shahbaz Nadeem in the squad and eventually picked in the playing 11. Nadeem is the third spinner in the team alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar.

Taking to his official Twitter account, Michael Vaughan termed India’s decision of not including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing 11 as ‘ridiculous’. He further asked that if Kuldeep can’t find a place in the Indian team in a home Test then when will he ever play red[ball cricket.

”Ridiculous decision by #India not to play @imkuldeep18 !!! If he isn’t going to play at home with the injuries they have when is he going to play !!! #INDvENG,”

Ridiculous decision by #India not to play @imkuldeep18 !!! If he isn’t going to play at home with the injuries they have when is he going to play !!! #INDvENG

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 5, 2021

Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test for India in Sydney in January 2019 in which he claimed a five-wicket haul. He has thus far represented India in just six Tests since his debut in 2017.

Also Read: India vs England 2021: Gautam Gambhir Surprised With Kuldeep Yadav’s Omission From The Playing 11