Why is Kuldeep Yadav not playing IND vs BAN 2024 2nd Test?
Kuldeep Yadav missed the opportunity to play a home Test as he was omitted from India's playing XI for the second match against Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur. He was touted to be among the favorites to start the match as the third spinner taking the black soil pitch into account.
However, India have gone for the same combination with three seamers, with Akash Deep retaining his place in the playing XI. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have to settle for a spot on the bench again, marking a rarity in a home season.
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed that they have gone with the same combination yet again, citing the 'softness' of the pitch and overcast conditions as reasons behind the decision.
"We will bowl first, the conditions play a part and there is a little softness in the pitch. We want to make early inroads and have the bowlers to go at the batters. A little different than the usual Kanpur pitch; gives the bowlers something and let's see what happens. We re going with the same team," Rohit Sharma said during the toss.
Kuldeep Yadav featured heavily during the home Test series against England earlier this year, making a surprisingly impactful contribution with the bat as well. His improved batting credentials and unique wrist spin arguably got him above Axar Patel in the pecking order, but the nature of wickets on show in the home season so far has caused him to settle on the sidelines.
Team India sans Kuldeep opt to bowl at home for the first time since 2015
The Kanpur Test against Bangladesh marks the first time that India have chosen to bowl first on home soil in almost 10 years. The last time the Men in Blue made such a call was during Virat Kohli's captaincy in the second Test against South Africa in Bengaluru.
On that occasion, India bowled out the Proteas for 215, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja picking up four wickets apiece. However, the contest ended in a draw after the remainder of four days were washed out due to rain.