Kuldeep likely to play Tests vs England, hints management
NEW DELHI: The Indian team management is likely to field Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav in the forthcoming four-test series against England in February-march. The let-arm spinner was not played in the four-test series in Australia even as India tried as many as 20 players due to injuries.
Incidentally, the last Test Kuldeep played was during the previous tour of Australia in 2018-19. He played in Sydney in 2019 and picked five wickets. Altogether he has played six Tests. On the recently-concluded Australia tour, he played just one ODI and a warm-up game.
“It was tough for you. You didn’t play a game here but your atitude was really good. We are going to India now, your time will come. So keep working hard,” India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said in a video posted on the BCCI website on Saturday.
India bowling coach Bharat Arun too said that Kuldeep would be played in India. He added that the team didn’t play him in Australia as they went with the horses-for-courses policy.
“That’s okay (if he didn’t get to play). I think he is working hard enough. He has been excellent. I think horses-for-courses is the policy we use. And mind you, when Kuldeep gets a chance to play, he will show what he can do, because I think he is bowling magnificently now [at nets]. And in India, when we play these four Test matches, that will be his time,” said Arun.
“Every time Kuldeep has played for India, he has done exceptionally well. The only chance he got in the T20 game, he bowled a fantastic spell. Every player in this team knows that when his chance comes, it will be of great importance to the team,” added Arun.
Meanwhile, India and England’s first two Tests in Chennai next month will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the local state cricket board.
The two matches from Feb.5- Feb.22 will happen “BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ( No Spectators/ Guests/sub-commitee Members) as a preventive measure”, according to a directive from the Tamil Nadu cricket Association.
The third and fourth Tests are due to be played in the western city of Ahmedabad -- at the world’s biggest cricket stadium -- from Feb.24 and March 4 respectively.
Authorities there have yet to decide whether those matches -- the third Test is a day-night match -- will also be played behind closed doors.
India has seen the world’s second-highest number of coronavirus infections but the rate of new cases has slowed sharply in recent months, and most economic activity is returning to normal.