A lot of cricket fans and experts are on the same page when it comes to Kuldeep Yadav as playing XI for the 5th Test. It seems like the right call! The final Test between India and England at The Oval is a big match, and India needs its best bowlers to win.
Kuldeep Yadav did not play in the first four Tests of the series. Even though he was part of the squad, he never got the opportunity to play. However, things have changed ahead of the 5th Test. The team has decided to include him in the playing XI, and many believe this should have happened earlier.
Former cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Sanjay Manjrekar all supported Kuldeep’s inclusion. According to them, India needs a bowler who can take wickets regularly, not just control runs. Kuldeep, being a wrist-spinner, brings a different style and can be more effective than finger spinners on certain pitches.
Moreover, the Oval pitch usually starts flat but begins to help spinners from Day 3 onward. Kuldeep can use the rough patches to turn the ball and trouble the English batters. England has had a tough time dealing with spin bowling in the past, particularly when up against wrist-spinners like Kuldeep.
So far in the series, India has tried various bowling combinations. Shardul Thakur, an all-rounder, played several Tests. While he added some runs with the bat, he did not pick up many wickets. As a result, many questioned whether India was focusing too much on batting depth and not enough on bowling firepower.
Ashwin pointed out that if players like Jadeja and Washington Sundar are being picked more for their batting, then there is room for a proper spinner like Kuldeep. This way, India doesn’t lose balance but gains variety in the bowling attack.
Furthermore, Manjrekar said that Jadeja’s bowling has not been very effective in the series. On a different note, Washington Sundar has been performing admirably with both bat and ball. So, replacing Shardul with Kuldeep makes sense without weakening the team.
Even Gautam Gambhir, who faced criticism for earlier selections, now seems to support a more attacking bowling plan. Kuldeep can deliver that. His knack for swinging the ball in both directions and snagging wickets during the middle overs makes him an invaluable player.
In addition, this change could help India’s fast bowlers. Bumrah and Siraj have carried a heavy load throughout the series. Having a quality spinner like Kuldeep will give them some rest during long innings and allow India to control the game better.
In conclusion, Kuldeep Yadav as Playing XI for the 5th Test is a smart and bold move by the team management. He brings skill, experience, and variety to the side. With so much at stake in the final match, India will be hoping that Kuldeep delivers a match-winning performance at The Oval.
