Kuldeep Yadav reacts after bowling only 12.1 overs on Day 2 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was not bothered after he bowled only 12.1 overs on the second day of the ongoing second Test match against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday. Yadav said he was happy that he got to bowl a total of 30 overs in the first innings against South Africa. 

The left-arm wrist spinner scalped three wickets on the opening day of the second Test but was given a dozen overs by stand-in captain Rishabh Pant. Yadav returned with figures of 4-115 in 29.1 overs he bowled. The spinner from Uttar Pradesh got the big wicket of Marco Jansen on the second day’s play.

Kuldeep Yadav said in the post-day press conference, “No, all good. I mean, for that, I have to be the captain. I’m very happy with whatever number I bowled you know. We have got 4-5 bowlers more and everyone bowled really well. So, you have to keep changing and you can’t just keep bowling from one end you know. I haven’t had any issue with that. I bowled 30 overs, which is good for any wrist spinner.”

On the other hand, Kuldeep also shed light on Nitish Kumar Reddy’s role in the team. Reddy bowled only six overs in the first innings, including only two overs on the second day.

“He is fit. Maybe you did not see him field. What can I say about it? It is not like we are trying to complete someone’s quota of overs – like so and so bowler must bowl so many overs. It all depends on team requirements. He bowled well yesterday. Today, he bowled two overs and then was taken out of the attack.

“There are six bowlers in the team. Someone will be under-bowled. There is no injury concern. You are asking the wrong person. I don’t decide who bowls how many overs,” Kuldeep concluded.

India will resume the second day at 9-0.