‘Ravi Ashwin got 5-6 Test centuries” - Ex-Indian cricketer on Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from five-Test series against England

Former Indian keeper-batter Robin Uthappa felt India could’ve included Kuldeep Yadav in their playing XI had his batting skills been a bit better. Kuldeep warmed the bench throughout the five-Test series against England.

Furthermore, Uthappa also stated that Kuldeep needs to be a player like Ravi Ashwin, who scored a few centuries in the longest format of the game, in order to get his chances away from home in Tests.

"Put Kuldeep in the 11 and make sure your batting is still in a state where none of the fans will go after the team management or the captain. With all due respect to Kuldeep's prowess with the ball, he's got limitations to his batting. That's going to take a lot of effort from his side," Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.

"Ravi Ashwin has got 5-6 Test hundreds. If he can do that at the lower middle batting order, say at number eight or nine, then he will certainly play more Tests," he added.

Moreover, Uthappa went on to heap praises on the Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had an exceptional series against England. Notably, Jaiswal scored 411 runs from 10 innings at an average of 41.1 with two centuries and as many fifties on his maiden England tour.

"I think he's an absolute cricket nut. He is obsessed with the game, batting, and scoring runs. He has put in the hours and time. That is what makes him a unique prospect for me. He's a cricket nerd," he noted.

Additionally, Uthappa also hailed the newly appointed Indian Test captain, Shubman Gill, for propelling India to a series-levelling 2-2, adding that he would get better in the coming days.

“There is a difference between being a captain and a leader. We've seen Shubman's captaincy in this series. He's been really good at some times and inactive or passive at some times. Over a period of time, he will tactically get better," he observed.

“As far as leadership is concerned, he is coming into his own since he started leading the Gujarat Titans. As a leader, he is leading the team well. He is not like a one-man thing," he concluded.

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