The recent performance of Kuldeep Yadav in the Asia Cup 2025 has raised eyebrows. Despite taking four wickets in the opening match against UAE, there’s speculation about whether he will feature in the next game. This uncertainty is fueled by a comment from Sanjay Manjrekar on social media, suggesting that Kuldeep might be excluded even after his strong performance. Manjrekar’s statement is a commentary on the frequent instances where Kuldeep has been left out of the team despite proving his worth.
In the match, Kuldeep’s bowling was key to India’s victory. He took three wickets in a single over, making a major impact. Overall, he took four wickets for just seven runs in 2.1 overs, earning him the Player of the Match award. However, Manjrekar’s comment indicates that his position in the team is not secure.
Manjrekar’s statement, “Kuldeep has 3 in one over. May not play the next game now,” reflects the recurring theme of Kuldeep being dropped despite his successes. This pattern has been particularly noticeable in Test cricket.
Kuldeep’s career with Team India has been inconsistent. Despite making his debut in 2017, he’s been in and out of the team. There were times when he performed well but was still dropped. He was dropped after taking five wickets in the 2019 Sydney Test against Australia. He played only one Test in 2021 and returned in December 2022. After taking five wickets against Bangladesh, he was dropped again. He was not given a chance to play in Test matches in Australia and England last year, and he was also excluded from the group stages of the T20 World Cup last year. This has led to criticism of team management’s decisions.