Credit: ICC
Kuldeep Yadav is a part of the 18-member Team India squad in the ongoing Test series in England (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy) but hasn’t got the opportunity to be in the playing in the series so far. In the first game, India trusted Ravindra Jadeja to spearhead the spin-bowling attack while in the second and third matches, Jadeja, along with Washington Sundar, got the responsibility to reinforce India’s spin-bowling unit. India will next play against England at Greater Manchester from July 23 and the visitors will be required to win the game to keep their chances of series victory alive.
Days ahead of the crucial Test, Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach Kapil Yadav has spoken to IANS and said it’s the best time for Team India to utilise the 30-year-old. “Kuldeep not playing doesn’t seem to hold much value in the current context, because Team India has been playing well. In the third Test, many expected him to feature, but the fast bowlers did the job and picked up wickets," said Kapil.
He also added, “Kuldeep Yadav is in top form right now. He was lethal during the ODI World Cup and bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament. Not playing him at the right moments has cost India heavily. In the recent matches, it’s the batters who have failed, not the bowlers."
Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling numbers in Tests
Kuldeep made his Test debut against Australia in Dharamsala in March 2017. His red-ball career entered the ninth year in March 2025 but so far, he has played only 13 matches in the format. In these appearances, he has got 56 wickets in 24 innings.
Kuldeep was also a a part of Team India that toured England for five Tests in 2018. In October 2024, he played his last Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. In the first innings of the match, he exuded confidence and took three wickets.
