BCCI recently announced a 20 member squad for India’s tour of England. They will first be facing New Zealand on June 18th in the World Test Championship Final and then face England. This announcement marked the return of Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari who had been left out of the home series against England due to injuries.
Left-arm leg-spinner bowler Kuldeep Yadav seems to have fallen off the radar of the selectors. His selection has been a topic of debate since the 2019 World Cup. He has been on and off into the team since then and now it seems to be that he has been dropped completely. Kuldeep earned a Test call-up and has two 5 -wicket hauls in the 7 matches he has played for India. But he has lost form and confidence and has lost his place in Team India and also is on the fringes for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Kuldeep Yadav could have been in the squad – Rahul Dravid
Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid has spoken about India’s squad and what it means now that Kuldeep Yadav has been dropped. In a recent chat, he said that the squad seems well balanced. The recent performances of Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar have forced Kuldeep Yadav out of the squad.
“It does seem balanced. It’s a 20-member squad. The only other one who could have merited selection would’ve been Kuldeep Yadav, but he’s fallen away over the last little bit. Also, with the kind of recent performances from Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, they’re clear about the kind of balance they want in the squad,” Rahul Dravid said.
Rahul Dravid said that both Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin add batting depth to the team and they have found like for like replacements for both in Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.
“With both Ashwin and Jadeja adding value with the bat and having like-for-like replacements in Axar and Washy, they’re clear about the direction they want to take. It lengthens their batting and all four finger spinners here allow them to do that. The make-up of the squad tells me they know their best XI even before they leave from here,” Rahul Dravid added.