IND vs SL 2nd Test: Kuldeep Yadav wasn’t dropped from Team, but given rest; says Bumrah
India vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah on Friday said leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has not been dropped from the Test squad and was instead given a break from the bio-bubble to spend some time with his family before playing the two-month-long IPL 2022.
Kuldeep was on Tuesday dropped from the Indian team for the second Test to be played in Bengaluru from March 12.
Axar Patel was included in the team by the All India Senior Selection Committee after the all-rounder was declared fit by the BCCI medical team.
However, at that time no specific reason was given by the BCCI for dropping the chinaman bowler from the team.
Bumrah said, look, Kuldeep has not been dropped. He was in the bio-bubble for a very long time and was not getting a chance to go home. Since his chances of playing the second Test were slim, he has been rested to spend some time with his family before the IPL.
He further added, “The well being of the player is also very important because living in a bio bubble is not that easy.
Every player wants to play every match but the mental aspect is also important and whenever Kuldeep gets a chance, he will try to give his best. But this time the decision to rest him was taken keeping in mind the two-month-long IPL, where he will be away from his family.
The fast bowler also praised Axar, saying that the all-rounder makes the team stronger with his return to the team.
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Jasprit Bumrah Press Conference
Axar’s last international innings came against New Zealand at home last year and then he missed the South Africa tour and the West Indies series due to injury.
“Axar Patel has provided a lot of value every time he has played matches, he contributes with both bat and ball. He was injured, but now he is fit. We will discuss our combination but of course, he is a valuable player.
Bumrah bowled just four overs in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Asked if the management planned to manage his workload, the bowler said that it was a decision taken due to the low light on the field.
“There is no workload management during the match. When you play the match, there was a time in the middle when we wanted to bowl to the fast bowlers but the lights were dim. So Shami and I couldn’t bowl at that time.