India ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been kept out of the line-up for the T20Is vs South Africa to strengthen team India's lower batting order and try out the likes of Rahul Chahar and Washington Sundar ahead of the World T20 in Australia, next year. The 24-year-old is part of both India's ODI and Test squads, still it is uncertain whether he will be named in the playing XI. However, with three Tests against Proteas coming up, skipper Virat Kohli can play two spinners and Kuldeep will want to get a look in.
While speaking to reporters, during India 'A' vs South Africa 'A' second unofficial Test, Chinaman bowler Kuldeep expressed that he is not too worried about not getting picked in India's T20 squad in the last two series.
"It's hard to play red-ball cricket when you aren't consistently playing that format," Kuldeep told reporters after turning up for India 'A' in the second unofficial Test against South Africa 'A'.
"If you aren't a regular in this format, it takes time to get into your rhythm. When you are consistently playing limited overs and suddenly switch to Tests without much preparation, it will be tough to excel.
"You need to bowl long spells, play practice games, to understand field placements and to know how to pick wickets. It was important for me to come here (in the India 'A' game) and bowl as many overs as possible. There is still plenty of work to do," he said.
With senior all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in India's Test squad, it his highly unlikely of Virat to prefer youngster Kuldeep Yadav over them and Yadav himself was quick to admit "with spinner like Ashwin, Jaddu and himself in the squad, it's challenging to pick the right combination". Virat Kohli decided to go with Jadeja over Kuldeep in the recently-concluded Test series against West Indies.
"When three spinners like Ashwin, Jaddu and I are in the squad, it's challenging to pick the right combination. You need to be ready to grab your chance. Of course, there is pressure because you only get a few chances, and you have to make full use of them," Kuldeep said.
Kuldeep was not picked for India's T20I squads for the West Indies tour and the ongoing home series against South Africa.
"So far, I have done a good job in limited-overs format. I feel very comfortable with the white ball," Kuldeep said.
"I am not worried about not being picked for the last two T20I series. Maybe the selectors felt I needed a break. Maybe the team thinks some changes are required. I respect that, and I have no complaints. I see this as an opportunity to do well in Tests."
Asked about wrist spinners, Kuldeep said they are very much in demand. "There is no doubt that wrist spinners are dominating the world. But sometimes, when you try to stop runs, you actually turn out to be expensive. We need to work on our accuracy. You need to accept that you do get hit for runs and work on being economical."