Former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes India should look into selecting Kuldeep Yadav in their bowling line-up for the fifth Test against England, starting at The Oval on Thursday. In this long tour of England, Kuldeep Yadav is yet to get a look-in into the playing eleven, as India have stuck to their bowling all-rounders strategy. India are still 2-1 behind in the five-match series and need to win at The Oval to make the series scoreline 2-2.
Kuldeep Yadav made his Test debut in 2017 against Australia. Following that, the 30-year-old played 13 Tests and 24 innings, picking 56 wickets at an economy rate of 3.55, at an average of 22.16.
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.
Kuldeep 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 the 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, and 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.
Shubman Gill -led Team India squared off against Ben Stokes’ England in the fourth Test match of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, from Wednesday, July 23rd and the need of a specialist spinner is now the need of an hour as the pitch in Manchester may assist the spinners on the 4th and 5th day. Hence, the relevance of Kuldeep Yadav on the field in the playing XI made more sense for Team India. Parthiv Patel opened up on whether Kuldeep Yadav should feature in the bowling line-up for the fifth Test
Parthiv Patel banks on ithe nclusion of Kuldeep Yadav for the Oval Test Match
India are all set to take on England in the final Test of the five-match series at The Oval in London. This is nothing short of a must-win game for India, as a draw or loss would result in England winning the series; with the series currently 2-1 in favour of the hosts. While India’s batting has mostly clicked throughout the series, the bowling has been the worrying factor. Many have called for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, and now reports suggest that the leg-spinner will be included in the playing XI.
Former Indian wicket keeper Parthiv Patel advocated for Kuldeep Yadav’s with a belief that India needs an attacking option in the form of Kuldeep Yadav . Parthiv Patel believes India needs an attacking option in the form of Kuldeep Yadav . He added that the likes of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja can contain batters, but the visitors need an attacking spinner to take 20 wickets
“I think the bowling can be better. I am also telling this from the second Test, given the conditions here, India have to somehow find a way of bringing Kuldeep Yadav in. Your batting is in form. If you have to win you need 20 wickets. With questions on Bumrah’s availability, you need an attacking spinner. Washington and Jadeja can contain but you need an attacking spinner. You have that wrist-spinner. They should think of Kuldeep in place of Shardul,” he reflected.
Kuldeep last played a Test match for India in October 2024 against New Zealand. Despite making his debut in the format back in 2017, the 30-year-old has only played 13 Tests, picking up a total of 56 wickets. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep has not played in any of the four matches held in the series against England so far.
In fact, since his red-ball debut for India in March 2017, he has featured in only 13 Test matches. India came up with a resolute batting effort on Day 5 at Old Trafford, Manchester against England on Sunday 27th July 2025 to draw the contest. They now need to win the Last test at the Oval to square the series 2-2.
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