Former Australian captain Michael Clarke expressed that India missed an opportunity by not including spinner Kuldeep Yadav in their lineup during the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, while also commending the performances of spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in the series.Since making his Test debut in 2017, Kuldeep Yadav has featured in only 13 Tests, claiming 56 wickets at an average of 22.16 with four five-wicket hauls. His only appearance in England came in 2018, where he went wicketless, though he maintains a strong record against England with 21 wickets in six matches at an average of 22.28.“The talk around Kuldeep Yadav, I don’t think, changes. He didn’t play a part in the series. I think he could have helped India take 20 wickets in this series. But you can’t take anything from these two (Sundar and Jadeja). With the bat, they’ve been exceptional, with the ball, they’ve been exceptional. So, I don’t think anybody can criticise those two players, these two spinners. The part of the impact they had in this series deserved their spot, grabbed it with both hands,” Clarke said on his YouTube channel Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, accumulating 516 runs in five matches at an average of 86.00, including five fifties and a hundred. He also contributed with the ball, taking seven wickets at an average of 72.42.Washington Sundar also made significant contributions, scoring 284 runs at an average of 47.33, including one fifty and one century.
Poll
Should Kuldeep Yadav have been included in the India lineup for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy?
After being left out of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Kuldeep Yadav is set to return to action as the lead spinner for Central Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.“But I do think Kuldeep will continue to be a talking point because I think he’s that X-factor for all of India. He could’ve helped them throughout this series to take 20 wickets. And then the two spinners, their batting is underrated. Has always been underrated for someone like Jadeja. He scores so many important runs for India. And, Washington Sundar another fifty as well,” Clarke added.
