IND vs BAN: "Why Are You Going To Bench A Good Player Who Is In Form?": Saba Karim Reacts To Kuldeep Yadav's Exclusion For 2nd Test Against Bangladesh

Saba Karim, a former India selector, has underlined his displeasure at Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from the Indian side for the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

The veteran thinks that the left-arm wrist spinner, who was named Player of the Match in the Chattogram Test after picking up eight wickets and contributing 40 runs, should have been given a chance.

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India, led by KL Rahul, continued their remarkable performance in the second match, which got underway on Thursday, after winning the first Test at Chhatogram. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill managed to push India to 19/0 at stumps on Day 1 as the visitors trail India by 208 runs. Bangladesh, who chose to bat first, was skittled for 227 in their first innings.

The stunning absence of Kuldeep Yadav has left everyone puzzled. The chinaman spinner had a standout performance in the first Test, impressing with both the bat and the ball and earning Player of the Match honours. Kuldeep had contributed 40 crucial runs by that point. More than that, he maintained his composure in the middle for 114 deliveries and put together an excellent 92-run partnership with R Ashwin for the eighth wicket.

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“Kuldeep Yadav will have to wait for his chances”: Saba Karim

The spinner was even more effective with the ball, taking five wickets in the first innings and another three in the second. Despite a fantastic performance, Kuldeep was passed over for the final Test because India elected to deploy three seamers and drop one spinner.

Speaking on India news, Saba Karim said: “Why will you drop a good player who is in form? What was the need to play an extra seamer? R Ashwin took four wickets, which means it’s a surface where a bowler like Kuldeep would have benefitted.”

Saba Karim said that Team India cannot afford to bench Axar Patel because he has performed well in subcontinent conditions.

“There is no doubt that Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel are your top two quality spinners. Axar Patel’s track record has been phenomenal, especially how he got wickets. You can’t bench him. So, I think Kuldeep Yadav will have to wait for his chances.”

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