Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion into the team was Anil Kumble's decision

What‘s the story?

Prior to the fourth Test of the ongoing India-Australia series, the Indian management were very sure that the injured skipper, Virat Kohli, won’t be fit enough for the Test. While they were in a quandry on whether to include a batsman or a bowler to replace Kohli, coach Anil Kumble was very certain about picking up left-arm leg-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav.

"It was a brave decision from the Indian team management to agree on a spot for a specialist bowler after losing a regular batsman in Kohli. Kumble was the mastermind behind this decision to pick Kuldeep. The coach knew that the left-arm spinner could have do the trick," a source in the team reported.

In case you didn’t know...

The Indian skipper injured his shoulder in the 3^rd Test in Ranchi while trying to chase the ball nearing the boundary. He did not return to the field to bat but came out to bat.

Extra Cover: India vs Australia 2017: India would have overpowered the Aussies easily had Kuldeep Yadav played earlier, says his coach

On the other hand, India missed another bowler to pick up vital wickets, which has led to many suggesting that chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav, should have been picked in the 3^rd Test. India almost sealed a victory in the Ranchi Test but it ended in a draw as they couldn’t wrap up the Australian lower order.

The heart of the matter

R Ashwin has bowled upto 700 overs and Ravindra Jadeja is burdened with the tag of being a wicket-taking bowler; with the two main bowlers being loaded, Kumble suggested that a bowler like Yadav can make a difference. And no doubt, the inclusion of Yadav in the team has made a huge difference in the final Test.

On day one of the last Test, Australia stood on 144 for two but they were bundled out for a score of 300. In a remarkable spell bowling by India, Kuldeep Yadav picked up four wickets and shone on his Test debut.

What’s next?

In the last Test of the series, Yadav’s bowling could come into play when the Australians come to bat in the second innings, when the track, traditionally, will offer more assistance to spinners. With Kuldeep Yadav being the new surprise package, India will try to attack and seal victory.

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Author’s Take

Kuldeep Yadav is indeed another gem that the Indian management and Virat Kohli have discovered. With the unparalleled experience that Anil Kumble has, Yadav could learn a lot and become a permanent fixture in the Indian Test team for years to come.