"If Bumrah isn't available, it's a big blow, but it doesn't seem like that with Kuldeep Yadav" - Sanjay Manjrekar on India's bowling for BGT 2024-25

Sanjay Manjrekar reckons Kuldeep Yadav's unavailability for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 isn't as big a setback for India as it would have been had Jasprit Bumrah been unavailable. He pointed out that Team India have gotten used to playing without the left-arm wrist-spinner.

The selectors recently picked an 18-member Indian squad for the five-Test tour of Australia. Kuldeep Yadav wasn't considered for selection as he has been referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence after the last Test against New Zealand for long-term resolution of his chronic left groin issue.

On the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues', Manjrekar was asked about his thoughts on Kuldeep's unavailability for the Australia tour.

"Everyone realizes Kuldeep Yadav's value even more on good pitches. It's a setback for sure but the interesting thing with Kuldeep Yadav is that he is an extremely capable spinner but plays less for India. So when he isn't available, it's not a big blow," he responded.

"In comparison, if Bumrah isn't available, it's a big blow, but it doesn't seem like that with Kuldeep Yadav because Indian cricket has almost gotten slightly used to not playing him or playing without him," the former India batter added.

India have picked only three spinners in the 18-member squad in Kuldeep's absence. While Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have expectedly been picked, Washington Sundar has been preferred over Axar Patel.

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"It's gotten slightly complicated" - Sanjay Manjrekar on India's potential bowling lineup in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the only experienced seamers in India's squad. [P/C: BCCI]

In the same interaction, Sanjay Manjrekar was asked about India's potential bowling lineup in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"It's gotten slightly complicated because if you choose three seamers, (Mohammed) Siraj, (Jasprit) Bumrah and anyone among Akash Deep, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, you feel the seam bowling is not looking that strong. However, you have got three good spin-bowling options," he replied.

The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that India might look to play two spinners even on seamer-friendly tracks. He added that Nitish Kumar Reddy might have to play as the fourth seamer if the visitors want to field a seamer-heavy attack.

"Kuldeep Yadav isn't there but you have Washington Sundar, who performed very well in India, and then experienced bowlers in Ashwin and Jadeja. So even if it's a seam-friendly pitch, I feel India might be tempted to play two spinners. If they have to play four seamers, I think Nitish Reddy will come into the team like Shardul Thakur," Manjrekar observed.

While the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played in Perth from November 22, the second game will be a day-night Test in Adelaide and the third match is scheduled in Brisbane.

With all three venues likely to assist the seamers, it remains to be seen if India play two spinners in those games.