IND vs BAN: Explained- Why Kuldeep Yadav Is Not Playing 2nd Test vs Bangladesh

Updated - 23 Dec 2022, 11:25 AM

Kuldeep Yadav. Image Credits: Twitter

Table of Contents

On Thursday, the second Test between India and Bangladesh got off, marking the start of the KL Rahul-led Indian team’s final assignment of 2022. Kuldeep Yadav was benched in favor of Jaydev Unadkat, who played in his maiden Test match in 12 years, which was a shocking decision by the Indian captain.

India took a 1-0 lead after winning the first Test by 188 runs at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, and Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match after taking 8 wickets and directing India to victory. This surprised everyone and will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the 28-year-old cricketer’s confidence.

KL Rahul Explains Why Kuldeep Yadav Is Not Playing In 2nd Test

Deputy captain KL Rahul believed that the visiting squad had to make the difficult decision to substitute Unadkat, who made his Test debut in 2010, for Kuldeep Yadav. Rahul was quoted as stating during the toss:

“To be honest, on seeing the surface, not sure what to make of it. There is some grass that you can see, but it’s generally good to bat here. There is generally some bounce here and some help for both pacers and spinners. We’d have wanted to bat first but we aren’t sure what to expect.

Just need to play good cricket. Need to bowl well in the first innings. It does seem damp and we need to get early wickets. Unfortunate decision for us to leave him (Kuldeep) out but it’s an opportunity for Unadkat.”

The Indian team’s recent selections, whether it be the squad choice or the starting XI for a certain game, have drawn a lot of criticism. The public gets yet another chance to criticize Squad India following one of their most recent choices as the Indian team is now in Bangladesh playing a two-match Test series.

The decision to rest the star spinner and replace him with a pacer infuriated the supporters since the ground in Bangladesh has always favored spinners.

Bangladesh Decides To Bat First After Winning Toss

Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat first in the second test match of the series. Host side made a couple of changes with Mominul coming in for Yasir and Taskin in for Ebadot.

For the match, India selected Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Unadkat as its two spinners and three seamers. In order to earn the necessary points and go to the World Test Championship finals, India will be seeking another victory.

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Najmul Hossain Shanto, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Nurul Hasan(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed

India (Playing XI): KL Rahul(c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Also Read: IPL Auction 2023: 5 Most Overrated Players In The 2 Crore Base Price