'Happy to see him in whites'- Fans delighted as birthday boy Kuldeep Yadav earns spot in playing XI in Chattogram Test

KL Rahul-led team India has locked horns with hosts Bangladesh in the first of the two-match Test series in Chattogram. India won the toss and elected to bat first in the red-ball contest against the Bangla Tigers.

As the playing XI was announced, India made an interesting inclusion in left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the first Test match. Stand-in skipper KL Rahul and the management decided to go with three spinners as Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel feature along with Kuldeep in the contest.

The wrist-spinner last represented the national side in a red-ball contest against England in 2021 wherein he racked up two wickets in the game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He also featured in the 3rd ODI match against the Tigers as he picked up a wicket in India’s massive win by 227 runs.

Kuldeep has now made eight appearances for the side including the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh in Chattogram. Interestingly, the Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer celebrates his birthday on December 14, the same day he marks his return to the Test side against Bangladesh. Fans were delighted upon his return to the Test squad and BCCI included his services in the playing XI for the first red-ball contest.

Speaking about the match, Bangladesh have never been successful in the longest format against India in their 11 outings. Team India have registered wins on nine occasions with two matches resulting in draws. Furthermore, the clash between the two sides plays an important role especially for team India as the side is still in contention for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship summit clash. Therefore, results in their favour is precisely what KL Rahul and Co. will be aiming for in the two-match Test series.

India start poorly in first innings

Meanwhile, India got off to a poor start in the first innings after opting to bat. Both openers Shubman Gill and KL Rahul wasted their starts and then Virat Kohli was stunned as a delivery from Taijul Islam spun a mile to catch him plumb in front of the stumps. With Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle, India will hope for the duo to rebuild the innings.

Here is how netizens reacted to Kuldeep Yadav's return-

Happy to see Kuldeep Yadav in whites. #BANvIND

— Arya Veer (@NameIsAV) December 14, 2022

1️⃣0️⃣5️⃣ international matches 👌
1️⃣8️⃣9️⃣ international wickets 💪
First #TeamIndia bowler to pick 2 hat-tricks in Men's international cricket 👍

Here's wishing @imkuldeep18 a very happy birthday. 🎂 👏 pic.twitter.com/lkpBD6SXZb

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 14, 2022

It will be interesting to see what Kuldeep Yadav does, as we are seeing him in the white jersey of the Indian team after many days. His last Test was against England on 13 February 2021.#BANvsIND #INDvsBangladesh #INDvsBangladesh #kuldeepyadav #IndiavsBangladesh #TestCricket

— Usman Shaikh (@shaikhmohdusman) December 14, 2022

Kuldeep Yadav plays❤️ #INDvsBangladesh

— Abhishek Zagade (@AbhishekZagade7) December 14, 2022

Happy Birthday Kuldeep Yadav ✨
Can't wait to see you winning matches for India in 2023 again All the best for ODI World Cup you gonna be important there.

— Cricket🏏 Lover (@CricCrazyV) December 14, 2022

Kuldeep Yadav ko birthday ke din isse behtar gift kya hoga.... finally a long wait ended to play a Test match. #kuldeepyadav #BANvsIND

— Umesh Sharma (@umeshbhartpuria) December 14, 2022

Kuldeep yadav in playing 11 🫶

— circuit 🇦🇷/ Gao vlogger 📷 (@being_circuit3) December 14, 2022

Good to see #kuldeepyadav in the India XI against #Bangladesh. Also, would love to watch @cheteshwar1 after a long time. Holds a very important place in this Indian Test team. #INDvsBAN #BANvIND

— Aakash Kumar (@AkashKm01) December 14, 2022