Champions Trophy: Being an India reserve won't demoralise Kuldeep Yadav, says coach
Mumbai: Kuldeep Yadav, the 22-year-old wrist spinner, is not demoralised after missing out on a place in India’s 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in England next month.
However, in what is a rare case, the selectors have named Kuldeep, alongside Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina and Shardul Thakur, in 5-man standby list.
"It is nothing wrong if they (the selectors) have also announced the reserve players. It will not demoralise Kuldeep either. On the contrary it will inspire him to work harder," the Chinaman bowler's coach, Kapil Pandey, said.
"There is hardly any difference between a 12th man and reserve players. Even Virat Kohli has performed a 12th-man job. Only thing is that Kuldeep will not be in England. But can be included in the event of urgency."
"The two spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were automatic choice and Kuldeep's place is in the reserves because selectors have felt he can be handy if Ashwin or any other player is unfit. Kuldeep should learn to adjust to such situations", Pandey concluded.
