Not too long ago, the India team management backed wrist-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav to carry the mantle of the white-ball spin attack.
Both have since fallen out of favour, finding no place in the squads for the last two Twenty20 series.
Challenge
Kuldeep, however, has a chance to make a mark with the red ball, having been named in the Test squad to face South Africa. The change in format presents a challenge to Kuldeep, who has played little First Class cricket in recent times.
Turning out for India-A in the second ‘Test’ against South Africa-A gives Kuldeep the opportunity to find his rhythm.
"Playing red-ball cricket is difficult, especially when you are a regular in white-ball cricket. It was important for me to come here and bowl as many overs as possible. There is still plenty of work to do,” Kuldeep said here on Thursday.
The 24-year-old has taken the white ball snub in positive spirit.
“I did well in white-ball cricket; my stats are good. Maybe the selectors feel they need to give me a break in Twenty20s, and that some changes are required. I respect that, and I have no complaints. I see this as an opportunity to do well in Tests,” Kuldeep said.
Earning a spot in the playing eleven for the Test side is not guaranteed, as Kuldeep is competing with Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin.
“When three spinners like Ashwin, Jaddu (Jadeja) and I are in the squad, it’s challenging to pick the right combination. You need to be ready to grab your chance. Of course, there is pressure because you only get a few chances, and you have to make full use of them,” he said.
Honing his batting
One of the possible reasons for Kuldeep’s ouster from the shorter format squads is his lack of batting prowess. It is a shortcoming that Kuldeep is working on.
“I’ve been working on my batting with (previous India batting coach) Sanjay Bangar. I feel my batting is good at the Test level,” he said.
