India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav was a notable omission from the playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh. Despite his strong performance earlier in the year, skipper Rohit Sharma opted for a team composition featuring two spinners and three pacers on a traditionally spin-friendly pitch at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Kuldeep last appeared in the five-match Test series against England, where he was impressive, taking 19 wickets across four Tests at an average of 20.16, including a “Player of the Match” performance in Dharamsala with figures of 5/72. However, for this match, India has gone with the reliable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as their spin options.
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Returning to the national team, Jasprit Bumrah, who last played during the T20 World Cup 2024, leads the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. After losing the toss, Rohit Sharma shared his approach to the game, saying, “We want to focus on what lies in front of us. We came here a week back and had a good prep. We feel confident. Three seamers and two spinners – Bumrah, Akash Deep, Siraj, Ashwin, and Jadeja.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has prepared a red-soil pitch for the match, aimed at countering Bangladesh’s spin strength by providing good bounce and carry for the pacers. Akash Deep earned his spot following his solid performance in the 2024 Duleep Trophy.
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Kuldeep’s exclusion sparked reactions on social media, especially on X (formerly known as Twitter). Many fans and cricket experts questioned Rohit Sharma’s decision to drop a proven match-winner like Kuldeep.
This is new to Indian cricket as well… Playing three seamers in Chennai and leaving out two of the best spinners in view. Feel for Kuldeep….he always gives performance but always is the first one to be left behind.
Axar vs Jadeja was a tough choice but legacy prevails. CSK…— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) September 19, 2024
Find it amazing how easily India drops a Kuldeep Yadav.#INDvBAN
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 19, 2024
Three pacers in chennai pitch. New era of test cricket.
We wasted time discussing axar vs Kuldeep 🥺— Archer (@poserarcher) September 19, 2024
Bangladesh bowling first after winning the toss is surprising… good for us 😊… and by the way India has picked exactly same team combination as I expected..3pacers and 2spinners… but only thing that pains me is to see the best spinner Kuldeep Yadav sitting out… #IndVsBan…
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) September 19, 2024
This is the 3rd time Kuldeep Yadav has been dropped after taking fifer in the last Test match he played before getting drop.
Five wicket haul is a Curse for Kuldeep!!!#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/DvkXw6SxSO
— 𝕏VA🅄LT (@x_vault_) September 19, 2024
Kuldeep yadav be like – #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/HCd59bg7iR
— Varul Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@VarulChaturved5) September 19, 2024
All the selections indicate that this maybe a seaming pitch in Chennai of all places, gonna be an interesting watch.
Kuldeep not playing a home Test is little heartbreaking though.
— Akash (@Akashkumarjha14) September 19, 2024
