Gautam Gambhir didn’t pick Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI for the 3rd Test vs England, and he has now been slammed left, right, and center by former Indian wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer.
Now, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer has come down hard on the Indian cricket team management headed by Gautam Gambhir, calling the move to drop Kuldeep Yadav for the Edgbaston a serious blunder that is against cricketing logic.
Kuldeep Yadav, who has been India’s most consistent and dangerous spinner since late 2022 with 118 wickets, was ignored for both the first and second tests of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. For the ongoing second test, the touring side went with Washington Sundar due to his batting.
Farokh Engineer blasts Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir for dropping Kuldeep Yadav again
However, Sundar was really helpful with the bat, scoring a handy knock of 41 runs and stitching a crucial 144-run stand with skipper Shubman Gill (269) to help India post a mammoth 587 runs on the board in the first innings.
But Engineer feels the bowling has lacked the sharp edge that Kuldeep Yadav could have brought in the ongoing second Test at Edgbaston, and Gautam Gambhir didn’t do the right thing.
Engineer slammed the national selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir for sidelining a bowler who can single-handedly turn games with his wrist spin. He noted that leaving out a match-winner like Kuldeep Yadav is not just risky, but it is senseless and hard to justify.
Farokh Engineer was quoted as saying by CricBlogger: “Kuldeep should have played from the very beginning. He’s a match-winner-a genuine wrist-spinner who can turn the ball even on a glass pitch. The Indian team has been ignorant. It’s a stupid decision not to play him. Even in the second test, his presence would have made a lot of difference. I hope he gets picked in the next game.”
Farokh Engineer slams Jasprit Bumrah’s rest, questions India’s rotation strategy
Furthermore, the engineer also questioned Gautam Gambhir’s overall planning, especially the decision to rest spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in a crucial Test match. He believes that this kind of rotation weakens the bowling attack and sends mixed signals about India’s intent.
The engineer signed off by saying, “India needs bowlers who can take twenty wickets. Otherwise, what’s the point? Even Bumrah deciding to play only three Tests in a five-match series-with so many gaps between games-isn’t the right way to approach a Test series you want to win.”
Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep duo wrecks England, India take big lead at Edgbaston
Well, India had plenty to cheer for as Mohammed Siraj delivered a brilliant performance with the ball, picking up six wickets and putting the visitors in full control of the second Test. He was well supported by Akash Deep, who chipped in with four wickets, as the pace duo ran through the England batting lineup and claimed all ten wickets between them.
Thanks to their fiery spells, India secured a solid first-innings lead of 180 runs, putting themselves in a commanding position against England at Edgbaston. The pitch at Edgbaston continues to favor the new ball, as Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 28 runs in the second innings against England. India will resume Day 4 at 64/2, with England trailing by 244 runs at Edgbaston.