Kuldeep Yadav continued to warm the benches even when India required a specialist spinner in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the final Test match of the series at The Gabba. Washington Sundar was picked in the side ahead of the left-arm chinaman for the decider at The Gabba. This surprised former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar who expected Kulddep to be included in the playing XI. 

Marred by a number of injuries The Indian team management fielded a potential second-string Test XI against Australia in the final Test. Apart from Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara none of the other players are regulars in the Test side. 

Surprised to See Kuldeep Yadav Not Play At The Gabba: Ajit Agarkar

 “Kuldeep does provide the variety and he’s done well before in Australia. Very surprised that he is not playing and he must be very disappointed,” said Agarkar on Sony Sports.

Ajit Agarkar further pointed out that a fifth bowling option would have given India another attacking option with the pitch flattening out in the third and the fourth days of the Test match. 

“Going with five bowlers, Washington Sundar playing as an all-rounder which Jadeja was. Why not have another spinner? Gives you better balance in the attack. If the pitch flattens out and there isn’t much for the quicks then suddenly it becomes a one-dimensional attack” Agarkar added. 

Kuldeep Yadav Particularly Successful Against Australia

Kuldeep Yadav has not played Test cricket for India since 2019. In his short career, he has been particularly impressive against Australia. he has nine wickets against the Aussies including a fifer at the SCG. After his success against Australia, Indian head coach Ravi Shastri said that he would be India’s first-choice spinner in overseas Tests. Agarkar pointed out coach Ravi Shastri’s statement in 2019 when he termed Kuldeep Yadav as India’s ‘primary overseas spinner’.

“After the last Test of the last series, he was the no.1 spinner for India and hasn’t played a Test since I think? If you are going with five bowlers which they have obviously looked at the experience and they had thought we need a little bit more cushion,” said Ajit Agarkar.