India, Sept. 27 -- Kuldeep Yadav's 4/40 against West Indies was not merely another successful spell from India's premier wrist-spinner. It was another reminder of the strange place he occupies in Indian cricket: good enough to change matches, yet rarely securely enough to be treated as an automatic selection.

West Indies had started strongly, with Justin Greaves and John Campbell adding 135 for the opening wicket and India beginning to lose control of the innings. Kuldeep entered after the pair had settled, was attacked early, and still found a way to alter the direction of the contest. Campbell initially put him under pressure, including a slog-swept six when Kuldeep dropped short. Instead of retreating into defensive bowling, Kuldeep a...