Follow UsKuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach, Kapil Dev Pandey, believes the left-arm wrist-spinner could be a vital asset for India in the upcoming fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting July 23.
India are currently trailing 2-1 in the five-match series, and Kuldeep is yet to make an appearance. The team has opted for Washington Sundar in the last two Tests, favouring batting depth.
Pandey said India lost the third Test because of their batting as they failed to chase down 193 in the fourth innings. He added that Kuldeep’s exclusion from the playing XI has hurt India on multiple occasions in the ongoing series.
“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,” Pandey told IANS.
“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 recent matches, it’s the batters who have failed, not the bowlers.
“You can’t expect someone like Kuldeep or even Bumrah to score 100 runs - that would be unrealistic.”
The 30-year-old has featured in 13 Tests for India, picking up 56 wickets at an impressive average of 22.16 and a strike rate of 37.3. His record includes three four-wicket hauls and four five-wicket hauls. However, he last played a Test in October 2024.
“I’ve spoken to Kuldeep recently, and I told him to stay fit and be ready to deliver whenever he’s given a chance. All we can do is hope - the final decision lies with the coach and the captain. But there’s no doubt that Kuldeep is currently one of the finest and most senior spinners in the country,” said Pandey.
“Yes, his morale is high, but deep down he must also be wondering when he’ll get his chance - after all, he’s only human. He can be a crucial asset for Team India in Manchester. I spoke to him; he’s focused.”