Ravi Shastri clarifies the reason for Kuldeep Yadav's exclusion from SA tour

It’s less than a month to go before India play their first Test on what’s going to be a gruelling tour to South Africa. And there’s going to be a lot of expectations from the No.1 Test team to see if they can replicate their success in foreign conditions. South Africa and Australia are the two overseas destinations where India have never won a Test series. Led by Virat Kohli, this young bunch – hungry for success – is looking anxiously at ways to change that fact, which starts early January 2018.

However, the absence of chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav from the squad has raised eyebrows everywhere. India’s head coach Ravi Shastri cleared the air on the matter, emphasizing that Kuldeep is still young and will have to wait for his time to come.

For the upcoming tour, the gaffer feels the combination of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja is their best step forward. The kind of tracks South Africa will present won’t come handy for a wrist spinner. Moreover, the current duo is capable of delivering with the bat as well. A quality, which Shastri believes is equally important to be on the squad.

“That aside, this is going to be a long journey and there are multiple things to focus on, including the next World Cup (2019). Right now, Ashwin is fresh after two busy seasons post the 2015 World Cup. When you look at the overall combination of this attack, it rounds off very well. That aside, both Ashwin and Jadeja can bat. Putting runs on the board will be as important as picking wickets,” Shastri was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz in an interview.

Defends Ajinkya Rahane

Another pressing issue for India ahead of the all-important tour of South Africa is Ajinkya Rahane’s poor form. The dynamic batsman has been struggling to put runs on the scoresheet which was visible in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka. Rahane could only manage a top score of 10 in five outings. A lynchpin in the batting lineup, Rahane has been one of the most consistent performers for India in Tests.

Despite his poor run, the 29-year-old was named as the vice-captain of the Test team. Although the decision has given rise to debates amongst pundits, the Indian coach believes it’s only a matter of time before Rahane regains his touch.