The Indian chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav was missing from India’s playing XI for the first Test against England in Chennai on Friday. Kuldeep was ignored for the game as the Indian team management decided to go with three specialist spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, and Shahbaz Nadeem in the starting XI. Kuldeep’s exclusion got the Indian fans sympathizing with the spinner, who last played a Test almost two years ago in 2019 against Australia in Sydney, where he picked up a five-wicket haul.

Since his last Test match, the Indian southpaw has been a regular feature in India’s Test squad but he has been warming the bench for almost 13 Test matches in that duration, including five at home. In the six Tests he has played so far, Kuldeep has scalped 24 wickets to his name, including two five-wicket hauls.

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Many fans were disappointed with Shabaz being preferred over Kuldeepas the former was only added to the Test squad after Axar Patel was ruled out due to an injury just hours before the toss. Describing his thoughts regarding the same, former India batsmen Mohammad Kaif tweeted: “Just two years ago, Kuldeep Yadav was touted as India’s first choice spinner in Tests. Now, he’s battling to stay afloat. But he needn’t look too far for inspiration. Ashwin & Pant too fought back from periods of self-doubt. Stay strong Kuldeep!”

Just two years ago, Kuldeep Yadav was touted as India's first choice spinner in Tests. Now, he's battling to stay afloat. But he needn't look too far for inspiration. Ashwin & Pant too fought back from periods of self doubt. Stay strong Kuldeep!

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 5, 2021

Here’s how fans reacted:

Will be interesting to know why Kuldeep Yadav was left out. Is it for playing Washington Sundar without Axar Patel to give batting depth? #INDvENG

— Niharika Raina (@niharika_raina) February 5, 2021

There's no justice for Kuldeep. Akshar injured, so the reserve bowler plays.#kuldeepyadav

— Maheen Sajida (@MaheenSajida_) February 5, 2021

Being Kuldeep Yadav is so so Tough. Was the 2nd Main spinner in the squad but still didnt got a chance…💔

— Sujal Bhavsar (@Wtf_Sujalll) February 5, 2021

Apart from the spin department, India went into the match with two frontline fast bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, While Bumrah is playing his first Test in India, senior fast bowler Ishant returned to the side after an injury layoff which kept him out of the Australia tour.

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Skipper Virat Kohli has also made a comeback after his paternity leave, with Mayank Agarwal making way for him. Ashiwn, who also missed the Brisbane Test, returned while Washington Sundar managed to make it to the playing XI as he will be strengthening the batting, and Nadeem, the left-arm orthodox, was brought in to bring in more variation in the spin department.