“Kuldeep Yadav was dropped because of a disciplinary issue” - Ex-Pakistan batter makes a stunning statement on India’s combination

Former Pakistan opening batter Ahmed Shehzad has slammed the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for his change in mindset as a coach after India’s 76-run defeat to South Africa in the Super8 clash on Sunday, February 22.

Speaking on a Pakistan sports show, Haarna Mana Hai, Shehzad reckoned that Gambhir's four-year stint as a Member of Parliament from East Delhi had changed his approach towards the game of cricket.

"When you enter any field, complete focus is needed. Gambhir entered politics, and obviously, his mindset changed. He was not very successful in politics, but it seems he has brought that same politics into the team environment. All this politics from Gautam Gambhir has damaged the image of the Indian team," Ahmed Shehzad said. 

Furthermore, the former Pakistan batter has asserted that the Indian team management failed to utilize the attacking spinner Kuldeep Yadav properly in the ongoing showpiece event. Moreover, he added that the controversial incident between Suryakumar Yadav and the spinner after the India vs Pakistan encounter was the reason behind his axing from the XI.

"The team resources are not being used properly - Gautam Gambhir is not managing them as well. You have a match-winner like Kuldeep Yadav, but he's not being handled correctly," he added. 

"There was an incident after the Pakistan game where Suryakumar Yadav pushed him. People are now saying that perhaps Kuldeep Yadav was dropped because of a disciplinary issue or a problem with Suryakumar Yadav. Otherwise, he would not have been left out. Kuldeep Yadav brings variation and is a match-winner," he concluded.

India will next lock horns with Zimbabwe in their next Super8 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. Later, they will take on the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1.

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