Those making the team did not see him

Former wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta remarked that Kuldeep Yadav has to be in the playing XI for the upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka at all costs, as opposed to his recent track record in terms of selection. The left-arm spinner missed out on the T20I squads for the England and Ireland tour as well as the Asian Games 2026. While he was named in the ODI squad, he did not get a chance during the 1-2 series loss against Harry Brook and co.

Kuldeep Yadav was not even considered for selection when both Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar were ruled out of the series finale against England. On that occasion, the team management went with a four-pronged seam attack, but ended up losing the contest after conceding 387 in the first innings.

Since then, Kuldeep Yadav has been on a solid run for Yorkshire in the Royal One-Day Cup. The spinner picked up eight wickets in four matches, gathering some serious momentum ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka.

Deep Dasgupta stated that the team management did not agree with the fans and pundits’ opinion of Kuldeep Yadav, and backs him to be in the playing XI in Sri Lanka.

“Kuldeep Yadav has to be in the playing XI, has to be. I was expecting him to be in the playing XI for that third ODI against England at Lord’s. Not only me, but a lot of the others were expecting him to be seen. Unfortunately, those making the team did not see him, that is a different issue,” Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.

Kuldeep Yadav has featured in one Test in Sri Lanka in his career, where he picked up five wickets. It was also his first overseas appearance after a strong debut during the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar series against Australia.

“Opportunity to play with even four spinners” – Deep Dasgupta backs bold bowling combination for SL vs IND 2026 Tests

The former India cricketer believes that the team management may have to think about fielding as many as four spinners in the squad, since the conditions might demand so.

“I think it is a good squad, based on the conditions there are more spinners than seamers. So, there is an opportunity to play with even four spinners, because it has happened it in the past as well, where both Sri Lanka and their opposition have walked out with four spinners. So, I think it was important to have that extra spin bowling option in the squad,” Dasgupta said.

“I think the squad was along expected lines, to be fair. Ideally, Washington Sundar would have been the first-choice off-spinner, but he is not there because of injury. I can’t think of any name that should have been in the squad, but is not there,” he concluded.

Team India handed off-spinner Saransh Jain his maiden national call-up after the injury to Sundar during the ODI series in England. The visitors also have other options like Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Manav Suthar in the squad.