"Again made the scapegoat. Ridiculous!" - Fans react after Washington Sundar replaces Kuldeep Yadav for 2024 IND vs NZ 2nd Test

Ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav was dropped from the Indian playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24. Washington Sundar replaced him in the playing XI.

This comes after Kuldeep bagged three wickets in the opening Test against the Kiwis, where India lost by eight wickets to go 0-1 behind in the three-match Test series.

Kuldeep, however, had scalped 19 wickets in four home Tests against England earlier this year. The 29-year-old has bagged 56 wickets in 13 Tests, including four five-wicket hauls.

Fans on X were disappointed to see Kuldeep miss out on the playing XI. One user wrote:

"Ridiculous to drop Kuldeep Yadav for Washington Sundar. What else does Kuldeep have to do to be a permanent player? Man took so many crucial wickets against England."

Another user wrote:

"It's a turning track and since we have full faith in our famed batting line-up, we have brought Washington Sundar as cover and in the process, Kuldeep is again made the scapegoat. Ridiculous!"

A third user added:

"Feeling Bad for Kuldeep..But as I said before we are going through a time where your bowling will not decide your selection but ur batting will even though your are a bowler... I hope India doesn't miss him on this spinning track and regrets later."

Here are a few more reactions:

Kuldeep Yadav's replacement Washington Sundar makes comeback after Ranji Trophy heroics

Washington Sundar has returned to the national side after his heroics for Tamil Nadu against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. The all-rounder scored 152 runs and also bagged six wickets in the match. Sundar's inclusion comes as India aim to strengthen their batting unit after they were all out for 46 in the first innings of the opening Test in Bengaluru.

Sundar has 265 runs (three half-centuries) and six wickets in his four Tests.

Besides Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and KL Rahul made way for Akash Deep and Shubman Gill, respectively, in the playing XI.

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