Disappointed not to be part of England tour, but hopefully I'll be chosen for Sri Lanka series: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav remains hopeful that he will find a spot in the Indian team that will be touring Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series next month when another unit of India will be up against England in a five-match Test series.

Not a part of the team’s UK contingent, Yadav has had a tough last few years in both international cricket and the Indian Premier League. He was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 14th edition of the league but continued to warm the benches while others were given a chance ahead of him.

Yadav’s story in international cricket has not been different, with the Indian team management picking Axar Patel and Washington Sundar over him for the team’s high-profile World Test Championship clash against New Zealand and the England series.

Notably, despite being a part of the Indian team during the Australia tour, the left-arm spinner sat out the whole Test series, while India preferred Shahbaz Nadeem and Sundar during the home series against England that followed, giving him only one chance in the four-match series. Ignored multiple times, he still has faith about making it into the team.

Every player is sad when he is not in the team: Kuldeep Yadav

“I am disappointed not to be part of the Indian team because I wanted to go and perform and contribute to the team’s win. These things happen, yes you are sad, but at the same time you are ready to perform in the next opportunity,” Kuldeep told India News.

“I didn’t go there, so hopefully I will go to Sri Lanka and get the chance to perform there. Cricket should continue happening, every player is sad when he is not in the team, everyone wants to remain in the team but sometimes the situation is such that you are not part of the team,” he added.

Kuldeep has represented the nation in 7 Tests, 63 ODIs, and 21 T20Is in his international career with 26, 105, and 39 wickets to his credit respectively. Given most of India’s first-choice player will not be available for the Sri Lanka tour, the chances of Yadav’s inclusion remain certainly high.