IND vs ENG 4th Test: Morne Morkel reveals reason behind Kuldeep Yadav’s uncertain spot in the team

Kuldeep Yadav (Pic: File Pic)

In the ongoing five-match Test series against England, there has been talk around why Team India is not including wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to the mix.

Team India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, revealed the reason behind not including the likes of Kuldeep in the playing XI.

He said that the management is looking for more consistency from the side's top six batsmen.

"So Kuldeep, we are trying to find a way for him, but it is just more that consistent runs from our top six that we want so that we can bring a guy like Kuldeep in," said Morkel in a rather long media interaction post stumps on day three of the fourth Test.

"I think it's finding when he comes in, how we can find balance and how we can get that batting line-up to be a little bit longer and stronger," he added.

Pressing more on the spinner's feature in the playing XI, Morkel said that Kuldeep is bowling really well at the moment, but the imbalance in the batting line-up is not allowing India's think tank to include the star spinner in the team.

"We've seen in the past that we've lost wickets in clumps. Kuldeep is world class and he's bowling really well at the moment, so we're trying our best to find ways for him to get in. But unfortunately, with that, just to balance with batting throws it out a little bit," said Morkel.

Further answering why the management gave a nod to Washington Sundar over Kuldeep, the former South African pacer said considering the pitch conditions, the choice has been made.

"I do think at the end of the day you need runs on the board, and for us obviously giving that a little bit of extra batting protection, wanting to get totals of 400-plus. You need it against England, especially the way they play, their brand of cricket," said the 40-year-old.

"But, to be honest, the wicket so far has been dry and it's actually spun a little bit. So, that brings Washington into the game. It brings Jaddu (Jadeja) into the game," concluded Team India's bowling coach.

(With PTI Inputs)