India vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah said mental exhaustion from the biobubble was the reason Kuldeep Yadav was released before the second test.
IND vs SL: Kuldeep was not dropped but released due to bladder fatigue, says Bumrah (PTI Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Axar Patel replaced Kuldeep Yadav in India’s Pink Ball Test squad
- Jasprit Bumrah has explained why Kuldeep was sacked from the India squad
- Kuldeep was not dropped but released due to bladder fatigue: Bumrah
India’s vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah has clarified that team management did not drop Kuldeep Yadav and he was released ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka due to bio-bladder fatigue.
Notably, Axar Patel joined the India squad while Kuldeep Yadav was dismissed from the team ahead of the second test against Sri Lanka. Axar did not compete in the first Test due to injury issues but returned to full fitness ahead of the Pink Ball Test.
Kuldeep was called up in the 18-man squad but didn’t make the starting XI in the first test in Mohali despite India playing against 3 spinners. The Chinese bowler was also part of the Indian team for the T20I series with three games against Sri Lanka and has therefore been in the bubble for a long time.
“We did not remove him (Kuldeep Yadav) from the team. He was in the bubble for a long time and was therefore released. Staying in a bubble is not easy. The mental aspect is important,” Bumrah told reporters at the press conference ahead of the second test.
Bumrah heaped praise on Axar, saying the all-rounder adds a lot of value with his return to the squad.
“Axar Patel has created a lot of value whenever he’s played, contributed a lot and offers a lot in all departments. He’s been injured but he’ll come right back in when he’s fit. We’ll discuss our combination but of course he is it.” valuable,” added Bumrah.
It will be interesting to see if Axar gets a game in Bengaluru as India and Sri Lanka will look to capitalize on the conditions in the pink ball test. With R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sure to start, India could look to step up the pace attack for the 2nd Test.
