Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will not be playing in India's fourth T20I against Australia on Thursday (November 6). Here's why.
Kuldeep Yadav released from India T20I squad
On Sunday (November 2), the BCCI issued a press release following the conclusion of the third T20I between India and Australia in Melbourne: "The Indian team management has requested to release Kuldeep Yadav from the ongoing T20I series in Australia to allow him to participate in the India A series against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
"The second four-day match starts on 6th November. The decision has been taken to provide Kuldeep with red-ball game time in preparation for the upcoming IDFC First Bank two-match Test series against South Africa."
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Kuldeep set to turn out for India A
As expected, Kuldeep was named in the playing XI for India A in the second four-day match against South Africa A which began on Thursday morning. That match features nine Indian Test cricketers, as well as World Test Championship-winning skipper Temba Bavuma who is also preparing for the Test series against India.
Read more: India A vs South Africa A, second unofficial Test – Day 1 live updates
Kuldeep's playing time in recent months has been a significant talking point in Indian cricket. On the Test tour of England earlier this year, he was part of the squad but did not play a single game. He then featured prominently in the T20 Asia Cup, and played both home Tests against the West Indies.
On the ongoing Australia tour, Kuldeep only played the last of the three ODIs before featuring in the first two T20Is. He did not play the third match, and now will not play the last two either.
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