"For that, I have to be the captain" - Star Indian spinner reacts bowling only 12.1 overs on Day 2 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

Team India's left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav downplayed the fact that he bowled only 12.1 overs on Day 2 of the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, November 23. He quipped that he is not the captain and hence cannot decide how many overs to bowl.

South Africa dominated Day 2 of the second Test against India in Guwahati. Resuming their first innings at 247-6, they posted 489 as Senuran Muthusamy (109) hit his maiden Test ton, while Marco Jansen smashed 93 off 91. Kuldeep, who registered figures of 3-48 from 17 overs on Day 1, finished with 4-115 from 29.1 overs. He ended the innings by dismissing Jansen.

At a press conference following the second day's play in Guwahati, Kuldeep did not read too much into the fact that he bowled only 12.1 overs on Sunday. Asked if there was any conversation over same, he replied:

"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."

While Kuldeep claimed four wickets in South Africa's first innings, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with two wickets each. Muthusamy, however, added 88 runs with Kyle Verreynne (45) and 97 with Jansen to put India on the backfoot.

---

"Maybe you did not see him field" - Kuldeep Yadav reacts to Nitish Reddy being under-bowled in 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

While Kuldeep bowled 29.1 overs in the Test, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who replaced Axar Patel for the match, sent down only six overs in South Africa's first innings. Kuldeep, however, dismissed fitness concerns over Reddy and explained that since India are playing six bowlers, one is bound to be under-bowled. He said:

"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.

Responding to South Africa's first-innings score of 489, India went to stumps on Day 2 at 9-0 after 6.1 overs.

Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert