Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has shared his views on the veteran wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav not getting frequent game time across formats. Notably, Kuldeep managed to play only two out of five games in the just-concluded West Indies T20I series at home.
Speaking to select reporters on Sony Sports Network ahead of the New Zealand T20I series, Kartik reckoned that he doesn’t have a proper reason as to why Kuldeep couldn’t get proper game time on a consistent basis.
“When it comes to Kuldeep Yadav I am confused myself. That’s why I am searching for words here because his record across all three formats of the game is exceptionally good, but somehow he still can’t string together game after game. I don’t know the reason, again that’s why I said if Varun Chakravarthy can be seen solely for his bowling skills, then why not Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep Yadav is a much better batter and a much better fielder so to say, compared to Varun Chakravarthy, and he’s got age on his side. So I don’t understand why,” Kartik said on Sony Sports Network.
It’s worth noting that Kuldeep Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the only two players to be selected across three formats for the forthcoming New Zealand tour. Further, Kartik was hopeful of ‘match winner’ Kuldeep getting enough game time on the upcoming tour.
“It’s always been a constant question in all our minds when we think of why Kuldep Yadav was not picked, in England when everyone was asking for him to be picked he didn’t play the Test matches, against Sri Lanka he played the first Test match, didn’t play the second. I know he didn’t have the best of games, for whatever reason, but that doesn’t mean you become bad in one game. Again he’s been picked in all three formats, and I think him and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the only two players who are common denominator across all three teams across the New Zealand series. And I hope Kuldeep Yadav is seen as a match-winner because he is one, he is a wicket-taking bowler for you,” he added.
