Kuldeep Yadav released from Australia T20I series for this reason
What's the story
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be leaving the ongoing T20I series in Australia. The decision comes at the request of the Indian team management, which wants to give Kuldeep a chance to play in the India A series against South Africa A. This match is scheduled to take place at Bengaluru's BCCI Centre of Excellence starting November 6.
Preparation strategy
Kuldeep's red-ball game time ahead of South Africa Tests
The decision to release Kuldeep from the T20I series is part of a larger strategy. The Indian team management hopes that playing in the India A series will help him gain much-needed red-ball game time. This experience will be crucial as he prepares for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, starting this month.
Team composition
India's updated squad for remaining 2 T20Is
With Kuldeep's release, the Indian team management has announced an updated squad for the remaining two T20Is against Australia. The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Other players in the squad include Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Jitesh Sharma (WK). The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh along with Harshit Rana.
A series lineup
Kuldeep included in India A's 2nd 4-day game
Meanwhile, Kuldeep has been included in the squad for India A's second four-day game against South Africa A. The team will be captained by Rishabh Pant with KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeepers. Other players include Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar. The bowling attack includes Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Kuldeep Yadav himself.
Kuldeep
Kuldeep was left out of 3rd T20I vs Australia
Kuldeep was left out of the 3rd T20I against Australia which India won. Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy were the preferred spinners in Hobart. Earlier, Kuldeep played in the 2nd T20I which India lost. He picked 2/45. Before that, he was part of the XI in the 1st match which was washed out.
Information
Decoding Kuldeep's First-Class stats
Kuldeep owns a total of 176 wickets in First-Class cricket from 46 matches at 29.24. He has picked four four-fers and four five-wicket hauls with the best of 6/79. As many as 68 of his FC wickets have come for India in Tests at 21.69.