Kuldeep Yadav Should Play Kanpur Test Against Bangladesh, Says India Star. Gives Reason

Middle-order batter Hanuma Vihari believes left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has to be in the playing eleven for India's second Test against Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, citing the need to have variety in the spin-bowling department on a black-soil pitch. With 53 wickets in 12 Tests since his debut in 2017, Kuldeep didn't play in India's 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test at Chennai, as India preferred to have a combination of three pacers and two spinners. But the knowledge of conditions at his home ground makes him an essential bowler for India to have in their playing eleven.

"They will probably make a change - they might play an extra spinner instead of a fast bowler. I think Kuldeep has to play in the eleven because if you have all fingers spinners, I don't think you'll get much assistance from the pitch in Kanpur - it won't deteriorate much as what we've seen in Chennai because black soil takes a lot of time to deteriorate."

"It eventually gets better that's what we've seen against New Zealand as well where they could draw the Test match against India in Kanpur. So I think they need variety and Kuldeep Yadav will come into the eleven, as it's also his own ground as well."

"He knows the conditions here best, so I think it's a no-brainer - if the wicket doesn't offer anything for the fast bowlers if there's no grass on the pitch I think it's a straightaway Kuldeep in for one of the fast bowlers," said Vihari, an expert with JioCinema & Sports18, in a conversation with IANS on Thursday.

India have played 23 Tests in Kanpur, winning seven of them while drawing 17 games. With the venue having the reputation of being slow, low and batter-friendly black-soil pitch, Vihari reckons bowlers will