The Indian team suffered a heartbreaking defeat recently at Lord’s and went down 1-2 in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. Ahead of the game, India’s team selection also came under scrutiny with coach Gautam Gambhir opting to go with two spinners.
MAL
–
HKG
–
SGP
–
SAM
–
BHN
–
RWA
–
SRS
73/10
MON
91/5
Monchengladbach beat Strass Rising Stars by 18 runs
SRS
129/8
DBS
128/6
Strass Rising Stars beat Dusseldorf Blackcaps by 2 wickets
BBS
167/5
DBS
168/2
Dusseldorf Blackcaps beat Bonn Blue Star by 8 wickets
MON
–
SCK
–
SCK
–
BBS
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
91YC
128/9
BCC
129/4
Bud Cricket Club beat 91 Yards Club by 6 wickets
CCC
156/6
NAJC
142/9
City Cricket Club beat Nabajyoti Club by 14 runs
NVR
–
NAJC
–
GTC
–
CCC
–
CD
–
RR
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
KRMPS
–
GUJCC
–
ALECC
–
RLC
–
CHK
–
CEC-A
–
MECS
–
BNC
–
MIB
–
BRT
–
VEV
–
FLI
–
CBS
–
GCF
–
VEV
–
CAT
–
FLI
–
BRT
–
CAT
–
MIB
–
VEV
–
CBS
–
GCF
–
MIB
–
UGAA
143/5
NBA
145/6
Namibia A beat Uganda A by 2 runs
KNY
83/6
NIG
–
UGA
–
NIG
–
UAE
–
KNY
–
VMK
170/10
YAR
171/6
Yanam Royals beat Villianur Mohit Kings by 1 runs
RWT
43/2
MMS
–
YAR
–
KAK
–
GLO
–
SUSS
–
WOR
–
NOT
–
YOR
–
LAN
–
ESS
–
HAM
–
KENT
–
ESS
–
GLAM
–
MID
–
DER
–
BB
–
SUSS
–
SURR
–
SOM
–
GLO
–
LEI
–
YOR
–
DURH
–
NOR
–
NOT
–
LAN
–
LAN-W
–
SOM-W
–
ESS-W
–
DUR-W
–
SUR-W
–
BRB-W
–
HAM-W
–
TBLZ-W
–
EDC
–
PNC
–
ZIM
–
NZ
–
Apart from Ravindra Jadeja, all-rounder Washington Sundar got the nod as the second spinner after previously featuring in the 2nd Edgbaston Test, which meant Kuldeep Yadav once again had to sit out. While there were strong speculations of Kuldeep getting a chance at Lord’s in case India went with two spinners, the chinaman bowler is yet to play a game in the series after three matches.
Skipper Shubman Gill had said that India wanted batting depth and thus had to leave out Kuldeep but his childhood coach Kapil Dev Pandey has a different opinion.
While Pandey credited the Indian bowlers for picking up wickets, he criticised the batting side which had essentially kept Kuldeep out.
Speaking to IANS, Kapil said, “Kuldeep Yadav is in top form right now. He was lethal during the ODI World Cup and bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament. Not playing him at the right moments has cost India heavily. In the recent matches, it’s the batters who have failed, not the bowlers.”
ALSO READ:
With pacers getting the preference in English conditions and the management backing batting depth, it is difficult for Kuldeep to find a place in the playing XI. However, he is a genuine wicket-taking option and with Bumrah expected to play only three games, there might be slight hope for him.
Bumrah has already played two out of the three matches and will play only one more. Although other pacers have stepped up in the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, India might try out Kuldeep if Bumrah is rested for the next game, given his threat factor. In such a case, Washington Sundar is likely to face the axe.
The Men in Blue will lock horns with the Three Lions next in the decisive Manchester Test, slated to start from July 23.
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.
