Kuldeep Yadav expels talk of replacing Ashwin, Jadeja

The success of India’s new spin duo Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal has given the Virat Kohli-led side fresh options as the permutation and combination continues to find the right mix with an eye on the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Yadav and Chahal’s entry into the side happened during the Sri Lanka away ODI series, when Ashwin and Jadeja were ‘rested’, according to a BCCI release. The latter two’s resting period in international cricket has continued since then.

While Ashwin played in County during the Sri Lanka series and is now featuring for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, Jadeja will play soon turn up for Saurashtra in the domestic competition. Their absence, however, has not been felt so far by India as wrist-spinners Kuldeep and Chahal prosper at home.

Yadav, who became the third Indian bowler to take a hat-trick during the OSI series, says that he and Chahal still don’t have the experience to replace Ashwin and Jadeja.

“Replace karne ka chance hi nahi hota hai…(There is no question of replacing them). We are still very young. We still have more cricket to play, so that though hasn’t crossed our mind. Ash and Jaddu bhai have been consistent performers for India in all the formats,” he said.