‘Phirse mauka aya toh Eden me hi aya!’ - Fans laud team India for including Kuldeep Yadav to replace Yuzvendra Chahal for 2nd ODI

On 12 January 2023, team India locked horns with Sri Lanka in the ongoing three-match ODI series in Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Men in Blue had a convincing win in the first ODI of 2023 by 67 runs. However, Kuldeep Yadav did not have a chance in the series opener as Yuzvendra Chahal made the playing XI.

In that match, he took one wicket for 58 runs in 10 overs. However, still he was the front-runner to get into the playing XI for the second game. But, at the toss, Rohit Sharma said that Chahal missed the playing XI due to an injury that he sustained in the first match. So, Kuldeep Yadav replaced him in Eden Gardens.

Kuldeep Yadav played the last ODI match in Bangladesh for team India

However, he played the last ODI match in 2022. It was the third match of that series in Chattogram, Bangladesh on 10 December 2022. India won that match by 227 runs. Kuldeep Yadav had a decent game as he took one wicket for 53 runs in 10 overs. He also made a comeback in the two-match Test series in Bangladesh. After that comeback, Kuldeep Yadav said: “Kahne ke liye toh do saal hain par mujhe kabhi feel hi nahi hua (It might be nearly two years (22 months) but I never felt it that way.” 

“If I wouldn’t play any cricket post-injury, then it's a struggle. But for the last year, I have been continuously playing white-ball cricket and also played red-ball series against New Zealand (A series). I bowled long spells in that series. If you are with the team (national), then you don’t feel that pressure,” Yadav added. So, fans were happy to see him in the playing XI and hoping that he can perform well in Kolkata where Yadav played for the Kolkata franchise in the Indian T20 League for several years.

Here is how fans have reacted to the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI of the second ODI: 

Either Kuldeep Yadav career will be revived here at Eden Garden after that Moeen Ali's massacre in a full circle.

Or will be engraved forever in this flat deck.

Big opportunity. There is nothing in between !!!

— Phoeniccss (@phoeniccss) January 12, 2023

#INDvSL #2ndODI #EdensGardenGame

Kuldeep Yadav back in the side! pic.twitter.com/s3MWXtlDAg

— Crick Academy (@AcademyCrick) January 12, 2023

Just like Sanju Samson Kuldeep Yadav too is a 'Toy' in the Hands of

BCCI selectors & Team Management They will use them Occasionally & throw'em Out Regularly(Kuldeep in for 2nd ODI) #INDvSL#INDvsSL#RohitSharma#IndianCricketTeam#RahulDravid pic.twitter.com/Bay2pVYxdn

— MTvalluvan (@MTvalluvan) January 12, 2023

Kuldeep yadav comes in for Yuzvendra Chahal, Meanwhile kuldeep⬇️⬇️#INDvSL #kuldeepyadav https://t.co/NpoQ1ilURa

— Ankur Yadav (@ankuryadav125) January 12, 2023

whats the problem you have against kuldeep yadav ??

Washington sunder is not a wicketaking option

— Ankit. (@AnkitRBhosle) January 12, 2023

Kuldeep Yadav was above a performing Washington Sundar !!#INDvSL #INDvsSL

— CricKabila (@MTapree) January 12, 2023

Justice for kuldeep yadav

And best decision to drop chahal imo

— Aryan Sah (@AryanSah03) January 12, 2023

India made one change : Kuldeep Yadav comes in for Yuzi Chahal.

— 🅒🅡🅘︎🅒︎🄲🅁🄰🅉🅈𝗠𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗨™ 🇮🇳❤️ (@MSDianMrigu) January 12, 2023