Former India spinner gives bold verdict on Kuldeep Yadav

Left-arm wrist spin was an unfamiliar sight in Indian cricket until Kuldeep Yadav emerged during the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. He made an instant mark there, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in six matches. Strong performances in domestic cricket and the IPL soon opened the doors to the national side, where his deceptive variations regularly unsettled batters.

Eight years later, Kuldeep has grown into a proven match-winner for India. He played a vital role in India’s 4-1 Test series triumph over England in 2024, the T20 World Cup victory later that year, and the Champions Trophy win in 2025. His spell of 3/19 in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England, highlighted by the dismissal of Harry Brook, was one of the turning points of the tournament. In the Champions Trophy final, his quick strikes against Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson broke New Zealand’s momentum and paved the way for India’s success.

Despite these achievements, Kuldeep has recently found himself sidelined, with the team management often preferring all-rounders who add depth with the bat.

Former India spinner Maninder Singh has voiced disappointment over this approach, arguing that Kuldeep’s exclusion cost India a series win in England. India drew the five-Test contest 2-2, but Singh insisted the result could have been 3-1 in India’s favour if Kuldeep had featured.

“If Kuldeep had played in England, India would have won 3-1,” Maninder said ina recent interaction in New Delhi. “Chasing 371 in the fourth innings was always likely with the bowlers we picked. But with Kuldeep, things would have been different. Our selections seemed focused on not losing rather than going for victory. If we wanted to win, Kuldeep would have played every Test. Players like him are rare in world cricket. English batters wouldn’t have read his googlies or leg-breaks. In that first Test, they had no chance of chasing 371 if Kuldeep was bowling on days four and five.”

Singh also expressed worry about Kuldeep’s prospects in the upcoming Asia Cup, suggesting that the management may again overlook him in favour of Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy.

“I don’t think they’ll pick Kuldeep if they go with two spinners,” he said. “They’ll probably choose Axar, because of his batting, along with Varun Chakravarthy.”