‘Despite his stellar record, he was unable to play. Kohli favoured Axar over himself’

Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t played in two years. Kuldeep’s struggles led to his being dropped from the Indian squad in 2020 and 2021. But the left-arm leg-spinner has bounced back in style, taking 17 wickets in nine games for Delhi Capitals, second in the IPL.

However, his boyhood coach Kapil Dev Pandey praised current Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for “safeguarding” Kuldeep’s future and disclosed that it was he who called up the bowler for the West Indies T20I series and offered him a game before the 2022 IPL.

“Captains trusted Kuldeep to deliver. He has a good Test record. He has two ODI hat-tricks. T20I record is good. But he didn’t receive enough chances. That’s shocking. Rohit Sharma protects Kuldeep’s career. Kuldeep’s comeback is due to Rohit. He is a great leader who can uncover talent in a large group. Before the IPL, Rohit phoned Kuldeep and said (against the West Indies). Kuldeep took two wickets “Pandey informed TOI.

“Rohit monitored Kuldeep’s Yo-Yo Test and rehab reports. Kuldeep’s rehab programme thrilled Rohit. Kuldeep’s comeback is all Rohit’s fault. He wouldn’t be here without Rohit, Pant, and Ponting “he said.

Pandey further claimed that former skipper Virat Kohli preferred Axar Patel over Kuldeep because to Axar’s batting abilities.

“Each captain selects players in his or her own unique method. Kuldeep was Virat’s main batsman. Virat seeks side experience. And Ashwin and Jadeja. He liked Axar over Kuldeep because to Axar’s batsmanship. A captain must trust his team “He remarked.

Kuldeep has re-established himself as a contender for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, having won four Man of the Match accolades for Delhi this season.