Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar wants the Indian team management to add Kuldeep Yadav to India’s playing XI for the upcoming second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Manjrekar, while speaking after India’s victory in the first Test, showed disappointment over Kuldeep’s exclusion in Chennai and highlighted the spinner’s value in Indian conditions as well.

However, Kuldeep Yadav, who has featured in 12 Tests since his debut in 2017, has claimed 53 wickets with consistent performances, including a stunning show against England earlier this year. In that series, he picked up 19 wickets in four matches and contributed crucial lower-order runs as well.

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“I feel Kuldeep Yadav should not be dropped so easily. Even if it was not a turner, India would have benefited from playing him in Chennai because seamers get help for just one or one-and-a-half days on an Indian pitch. It starts supporting spinners after that, and when you have a bowler like Kuldeep Yadav, you should not keep him out this easily,” Manjrekar said in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.

“India should go with this approach in Kanpur. Even if it’s a green top and the sun is out, they should keep in mind that the green top will be just for the first few hours, and Siraj and Bumrah are enough for that. When you have three proven spinners, you should play all of them,” Manjrekar further added.

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Kuldeep Yadav’s ability to trouble batters with his wrist spin and variations could be a key factor in Kanpur, where conditions might favour India’s spin attack as well.