Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has shared his strong opinions on why spinner Kuldeep Yadav should have been part of India’s playing XI in earlier Test matches in England, while also explaining why he’s comfortable with Kuldeep’s absence from the recent Oval Test.
Ganguly’s Take: Why Kuldeep Should Have Played Sooner
Sourav Ganguly believes that Kuldeep Yadav was a crucial miss in several key Test matches against England, specifically pointing to games in Manchester, Lord’s, and Birmingham. According to Ganguly, a quality spin option is essential for any team looking to bowl out opponents, especially as Test matches progress into their fourth and fifth days.
He highlighted that pitches often develop rough patches and offer turn later in the game. Without a skilled spinner, teams struggle to take the necessary 20 wickets to win. Ganguly referenced how England faced difficulties when India batted on turning tracks due to their lack of a top-tier spinner.
Ganguly emphasized the historical importance of great spinners in successful Test sides. He cited legendary names like Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Graeme Swann, Monty Panesar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all of whom were pivotal to their teams’ victories. He insists that India must continue to consider Kuldeep Yadav for future Test engagements.
The Oval Exception: A Seamer’s Paradise?
Despite his strong advocacy for Kuldeep’s inclusion in previous matches, Ganguly conceded that his omission from the Oval Test was understandable. He suggested that the conditions at The Oval likely favored fast bowlers, making a third spinner less necessary.
Ganguly observed that England themselves opted for a four-pacer attack with no dedicated spinner for this match. He speculated that the pitch might have been left with more grass than usual, leading India to rely on their existing spin options, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, rather than adding another.
India’s Changes for The Oval Test
The fifth and final Test at The Oval saw England’s stand-in skipper Ollie Pope win the toss and elect to bowl first under overcast skies. India, trailing 1-2 in the series, made significant changes to their lineup. They brought in Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna, replacing injured players like Rishabh Pant, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and Jasprit Bumrah, further highlighting a focus on seam-bowling options.
- Ganguly felt Kuldeep Yadav’s spin was crucial for earlier Tests in England.
- He believes quality spinners are vital for taking wickets on days 4 and 5.
- Kuldeep’s absence at The Oval was acceptable due to perceived seam-friendly conditions.
Ganguly’s insights offer a strategic view on team selection, underlining the dynamic role of spin bowling in different Test match conditions.
