Bishan Bedi : Kuldeep Yadav should be played only in Test, not ODI or T20I
Former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi feels that Indiaās emerging spinner Kuldeep Yadav hasnāt been under proper guidance as the 22-year-old should be played only in Test and not in ODIs or T20Is. The 71-year-old also lamented how IPL performances are now preferred over Duleep and Ranji Trophy.
Kuldeep Yadav has taken the nation by a storm following his recent displays against Sri Lanka and Australia. Not only has his display ousted the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from the side, but he has also been branded by many as the āFind of the Yearā. Former India leg-spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi, who is very fond of the 22-year-old, believes that the young spinner is not under proper guidance and feels he should be playing only Test matches and domestic tournaments for now.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Bedi said, āKuldeep is a rare species and Iām very fond of the kid. I donāt, however, think that those who matter have a vision for him... say that because I believe Kuldeep shouldnāt be playing the ODIs and T20Is, but only Test cricket. Certainly, at this stage of his career.
āIf Kuldeep gets 10 overs and four overs only, heās being made to bowl for a limited purpose. His thinking is getting limited... Instead of being fielded against Australia and, now, against New Zealand Kuldeep should have been playing in the Ranji Trophy and bowling long spells.ā
The gradual decline of tournaments like Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy has been a hot issue in Indiaās domestic cricketing circuit. Bedi became the latest one to join the bandwagon stating that a Test player can play in all three formats but not the vice-versa.
āGenerally speaking, one big problem in recent years is that players get selected for India on the strength of their IPL performances. That ought not to be so... We should look to prepare good Test cricketers. They can play ODIs and T20Is. Not T20I and ODI players being made to play Test cricket.ā
The Kanpur-born lad has played only two Test matches, 11 ODIs, and four T20IsĀ for India so far. All his 17 appearances for India have been in 2017 and it is too early to brand him as the next big thing and Indian selectors opting for him in place of seasoned bowlers like Ashwin and Jadeja has really surprised Bedi.
Stating that the return for Indiaās old spinning duo will be quite problematic, Bedi said, āIt definitely is very, very surprising that Ashwin and Jadeja havenāt been brought back. Weāve heard different things, from rested to rotated to... Moreover, when Ashwin and Jadeja do return, and they have to, they would be under pressure. Cricket has so much to do with the mind, after all.ā Ā
