You did not play a game but your attitude was really good: Rahane to Kuldeep Yadav

Tags: India, Australia, Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane, Kuldeep Yadav

Published on: Jan 24, 2021

Indian captain for the last three Tests in Australia, Ajinkya Rahane, gave a pep talk to the team after the famous three-wicket win at the Gabba, which saw India clinch the Test series 2-1. Addressing the team in the dressing room, Rahane described the victory as a major moment for everyone, and put it down to teamwork.

"This is a massive moment for all of us. What happened in Adelaide, how we came back from Melbourne onwards was really good to see. Everyone did their effort, everyone contributed, it was not about one or two individuals,” Rahane was heard saying in a video posted by BCCI on its official website

The stand-in Indian skipper for the series had words of encouragement for both left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav and promising pacer Kartik Tyagi, who did not feature in any of the Tests. While Yadav was part of the proper playing squad for the Tests, Tyagi’s services were utilised specifically as a net bowler.

Speaking about the duo, Rahane said, I just want to mention Kuldeep Yadav and Kartik Tyagi. Kuldeep, I know it was tough for you, you did not play a game here but your attitude was really good. Your time will come, just keep working hard. Kartik you were fantastic.”

Although Yadav was the third spinner in the Indian Test team after Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, India preferred to go in with off-spinner Washington Sundar for the final Test, owing to his batting abilities, after both Ashwin and Jadeja were ruled out. The move paid off as Sundar struck a fifty on debut, and also picked up four wickets in the Test.

With Jadeja ruled out of the England series as well, Yadav might come into the picture for the Tests at home, on spinning pitches. The 26-year-old left-arm spinner has, so far, played six Tests for India in which he has claimed 24 wickets at an average of 24.12. He last turned out in the longer version of the game for India during the Sydney Test of January 2019, in which he actually claimed a five-for.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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