England vs India 2018: 4 reasons why it is too early for Kuldeep Yadav to be picked

There has been much talk about the number of spinners to be included in the playing XI of the Indian team for the ongoing Test series against England.

The bowling combination is always an issue when India goes overseas. With the number of injuries to the fast bowlers, the remaining automatically get themselves selected without much fuss.

After the loss in the first Test, the selection of the bowling attack is once again under the scanner. With Kuldeep causing trouble to the English batting line up in the limited overs leg, there has been vocal support to include him in the playing XI for the second Test. Even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar tweeted that he is ready to play cricket at the Test level.

Is it really the need of the hour though? What would it do to the already established spinners in the team? Is India trying to do too much in pursuit of glory abroad and establish itself as the No. 1 Test side in the world?

Here are 5 drawbacks for picking Kuldeep in the playing XI right now:

1. Injustice to Ashwin and Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been the go-to spinners in the whites for a number of years for now, and have consistently been in the ICC top 10 rankings for the bowlers. Although their past performances overseas haven't been encouraging, it was Jadeja's all-round contribution which brought the Indian team victory at Lord's in 2014.

Also, if India intends to go with one spinner, Ashwin is the primary candidate according to the recent trends. He showcased the team's belief in him through his outstanding performance in the first Test of the series.

Excluding either of them for the sake of an inexperienced player at the international Test level would not be unjustified. They have been already overlooked in the limited overs format with the team preferring to go with the wrist spinners, and this would be adding insult to injury.

2. Lack of batting prowess

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal

The successful run of the Indian team in the last couple of years owes much to the emergence of two young wrist spinners in the form of Chahal and Kuldeep. With the World Cup coming next year, India experimented with this combination while leaving out the experienced players, which has reaped good results for the team.

But it is important to note that neither of them is very good with the bat. By including them in the Tests, it could lead to a long tail, which in turn would put even more pressure on the proper batsmen to deliver.

Runs down the order always play an important role in deciding the outcome of a closely contested Test series.

3. Injury scare

Ravindra Jadeja

The idea of including Kuldeep in the playing XI for the Tests would mean he will play three formats continuously. That could take a heavy toll on his body, which may lead to possible injuries in the future.

The loss of Kuldeep in the limited overs setup can be more damaging to the Indian side than the necessity to include him in the Test playing XI. It is also not the need of the hour with India having two quality spinners in the form of Ashwin and Jadeja already.

4. Effectiveness - an area of concern

Kuldeep has been doing well in the limited overs format for the past year or so, with exceptional performances in the recently concluded limited overs leg. But the wrist spinner may not be that effective at the Test level.

The batsmen won't show a strong desire to attack him and will play him out, forcing him to bowl long tiring spells. That would be in sharp contrast to white ball cricket where the players are always in an aggressive mode in search of quick runs.

Kuldeep Yadav

It would be good if Kuldeep is given some time on the sidelines where he can learn things from his peers at the Test level/ When the time is right, he can don the white colors. But now is not really the time to do so!