Kuldeep Yadav is one of those cricketers who benefitted greatly from the leadership and experience of his captains, people who could put their arms around his shoulders and set him down the right path, to make best use of his left-arm leg-spin weapons. With Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli retiring in quick succession, Kuldeep Yadav suddenly finds himself as one of the more experienced members of the Indian squad.
Shubman Gill’s elevation to Test captaincy marks the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket, coming in the wake of Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. Alongside Rohit Sharma , who had led India since February 2022, fellow stalwarts Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin have also bid farewell to Tests since the start of India’s last Test series.
Taking from where Rohit Sharma left following his recent retirement announcement from India’s test cricket, the Men in White will now be led by Shubman Gill. BCCI named the 25-year-old young talent as India’s new Test cricket captain. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been selected as vice-captain for the upcoming five-match Test series against England
Kuldeep Yadav’s Test match records
Kuldeep Yadav has a record of 13 test matches and 24 innings. During that period, Kuldeep Yadav has delivered 2,093 balls, concessions 1,241 runs already, and has taken 56 wickets.
Despite limited opportunities in Test cricket, Kuldeep Yadav has done an able job. In 13 Test matches, the left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has bagged 56 wickets at 22.16. He owns four five-wicket hauls under his belt with the best of 5/40. As per ESPNcricinfo, he owns 38 wickets in nine home matches at 23.39. Meanwhile, he has picked 18 scalps at 19.55 in away matches (home of opposition).
Kuldeep Yadav’s top figures in an innings are 5/40, and in a match, he has a record of 8/113. Kuldeep Yadav also has a bowling average of 22.16, an economy of 3.55,a strike rate of 37.3. This only shows how good he is with his bowling action. These figures support his effectiveness and wicket-taking ability, and as a result, he is also one of the most prominent spinners in India in recent Test appearances.
Kuldeep Yadav has played only two matches in SENA nations (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). In England, he went wicketless in his solitary outing, in 2018 at Lord’s. He conceded 44 runs from nine overs. Ahead of the England series , Kuldeep Yadav desires to emulate Shane Warne alike performance vs England in the upcoming test series.
I hope I will be able to bowl like Shane Warne & enjoy- Kuldeep Yadav
Team India wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav hopes to emulate his idol, Shane Warne, with the ball during the upcoming five-match Test series in England. The legendary Australian spinner left a rich legacy in England, picking up 129 wickets in just 22 appearances at an average of 21.95.
Kuldeep Yadav was named in the squad for the Test series against England as a frontline spin-bowling option following Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket in December 2024. The left-arm bowler has only played a couple of Tests outside the subcontinent since his debut in 2017, one of which came at the iconic Lord’s in 2018.
Kuldeep Yadav has a solid record in England over the years, but it is largely in white-ball cricket. Given his sublime form since the comeback and the new-look Team India’s combination, there is an outside chance for him to feature in the playing XI.
Kuldeep Yadav stressed the importance of enjoying his bowling, and hopes to make an impact like Shane Warne did on English soil during his storied career.
“England play quite aggressively, which is why you are always in the game, because a wicket can come any time. I got to learn a lot whil playing against them last year. If I get an opportunity in this series, I will try to use what I learnt last year, and enjoy my cricket. Like Shane Warne enjoyed bowling in England, I also hope that I will also be able to bowl like him and enjoy,” Kuldeep Yadav said in an interview with RevSportz.
Shane Warne has been part of some iconic Ashes moments in England, including his ‘Ball of the Century’ to Mike Gatting in the 1993 series, along with his legendary exploits in the 2005 series, where he took 40 wickets in five matches.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke recently opined that Kuldeep Yadav will be Team India’s X-Factor during the England tour. The spinner, however, mentioned that he does not take additional pressure based on such comments.
“I didn’t hear anyone say this (on him being an X-Factor on England tour). I don’t feel pressure about all these expectations. I played a series against England last year, and I have an idea as to how they play. So, no pressure, but it is challenging considering how they play their game. You have to stay focused all the time against them. With other teams, you can afford to be a bit relaxed because their mindset is defensive,” he added.
Kuldeep Yadav’s lone Test outing in England was far from memorable as he finished with figures of 0-44 after bowling just nine overs in Team India’s heavy loss by an innings and 159 runs.
Kuldeep Yadav’s second and last red-ball appearance outside the subcontinent so far came at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar series. He picked up a five-wicket haul in the drawn contest.
The spinner remarked that he does not get too obsessed over the difference in conditions, and backs his ability to outfox the batter in the air to make an impression in such situations.
“I stay relaxed mentally, and think about my strengths. I don’t tinker with my attacking mindset, I keep it as it is. I don’t think about overseas conditions too much, I grew up bowling on cement pitches. All of spinner’s art takes place in the air, whether it be the dip or drift. If you can do that, you can play anywhere, in India or overseas, because it is equally effective everywhere,” the spinner said.
Team India will face England in the first Test of the series at Headingley, Leeds on Friday, June 20 and India will hope that in the absence of veteran Ravichandran Ashwin Kuldeep Yadav would emerge as a new spin sensation for India in future starting from England series 2025.
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