Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed displeasure over the team management for not feeding Kuldeep Yadav in the Test series against England. Ashwin was surprised that when many fast bowlers of the team like Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh are injured, Kuldeep was still not given a chance in the fourth Test played in Manchester.

Batting depth emphasizing beyond comprehension

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that the team is now harming more than the need to bring depth in batting. He said that in today’s time, expecting 20-30 runs from lower order batsmen is not as beneficial as before, because now the pitches are easy for the batsmen and the real difference comes from bowling.

Ashwin said, “If someone would have told me that Kuldeep would not play a single match in the first four Tests, I would be very surprised. Even today we worry about batting for 20-30 runs, while this thinking is now old.”

Questions raised on feeding Shardul

Ashwin also questioned that when Shardul Thakur was given only 5 overs on the second day and he robbed 35 runs in it, what was the argument to include him in the team. He said that when all -rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are already in the team and are batting well, then why the attacking bowler like Kuldeep was ignored.

Ashwin said, “I like Shardul Thakur, but if you are going to give him the same overs, and expect him for just 20-30 runs, then why didn’t Kuldeep Yadav try? This is out of my understanding.”

Why do the bowlers expect runs even after batting?

Ashwin said that when your team’s spin bowlers can also bat well, then there is no point in keeping a less effective bowler in the team only to score runs. He said that the team should trust the bowlers taking wickets.

England in a strong position

Currently, England’s team is in good position in the Manchester Test. In response to India’s 358 runs, England are just 133 runs behind and are playing firmly.