The Indian squad’s adventure during the English summer season of Test cricket has been quite unpredictable. After several weeks filled with compelling cricketing action, the series is now advancing to the fourth Test match held at Old Trafford in Manchester. With the Indian team trailing at 2-1, this contest is crucial for maintaining their presence in the series. Among all the strategies being considered, one notable discussion revolves around possibly including left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of Washington Sundar. Let’s investigate three essential factors that support Kuldeep’s inclusion in the starting XI for the fourth Test.
Here are 3 key reasons why Kuldeep Yadav should play ahead of Washington Sundar for the fourth Test:
1. Old Trafford’s proclivity to support spin bowlers
Old Trafford is renowned for providing assistance to spin bowlers, notably as matches progress into their later stages. Typically, the pitch offers some initial bounce for seam bowlers, but by the fourth day, spin and grip become significantly noticeable. Recent matches hosted at this location have highlighted the importance of having a proficient spinner capable of leveraging these deteriorating conditions.
Kuldeep, due to his skill in generating significant turn and deceiving established batsmen, turns into a valuable asset on these kinds of surfaces. Numerous former selectors and experts have pointed out that Kuldeep’s bowling technique is exceptionally suited for venues such as Old Trafford, which have traditionally favored spinners, especially under dry and warm conditions common during the English summer. Relying mainly on finger-spin might not suffice to disrupt partnerships, hence an aggressive wrist-spinner delivers a crucial differentiating factor.
2. Enhanced variety through wrist spin
Kuldeep infuses a distinctive benefit into the bowling lineup through his left-arm wrist spin, offering diversity and unpredictability. Unlike the majority of finger-spinners, Kuldeep possesses the ability to rotate the ball in both directions, incorporates a deceptive googly, and showcases a skill set infrequently encountered by English batters, either in county or international cricket. His unconventional trajectory and capability to impart flight to the ball encourage ambitious strokes, thus facilitating errors, even amid defensive plays.
When opposing teams begin formulating comprehensive strategies against familiar bowlers such as Sundar, Kuldeep’s offensive strategy and surprising variations present India with a reliable opportunity to secure wickets. This element involving surprise and offensive capability often decides tight matches, rendering Kuldeep ideally positioned to break partnerships on a pitch anticipated to favor spin.
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3. Significant global experience
Kuldeep’s prior international performance, specifically within white-ball formats, notably outstrips that of Sundar. Having vast experience competing against elite teams throughout ICC tournaments and bilateral series, Kuldeep has frequently thrived under pressure. While his appearances within red-ball formats have been limited because of the presence of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, the caliber of his performance is unquestionable, as he sustains a Test bowling average of 22, indicating his capability to deliver crucial breakthroughs relative to Sundar’s more restrictive technique.
Furthermore, he features a history of success when playing against England, acquiring 21 wickets throughout merely six Tests versus them, including a game-winning five-wicket haul attained as recently as 2024. This considerable experience throughout important situations, joined with his achievements on English fields within white-ball cricket, equips Kuldeep with the composure that India may require throughout a demanding Old Trafford encounter.
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