Ex-India captainAnil Kumble wants left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav to be a regular part of the playing XI of the Test team. After being a part of international cricket for eight years, the leggie has played only 13 Tests. He was part of India’s 15-member squad against England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 but didn’t get a chance to play any game. His last Test appearance came against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October 2024. In the past, former Indialegends such as Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Kaif have emphasised on Kuldeep’s inclusion in India's Test XI, and now, Kumble has also said that the 30-year-old is essential for India to pick up 20 wickets in the longest form of the sport.
Speaking to The Great Indian Cricket Show recently, Kumble
said that Kuldeep is not easy to play for batters and he would like to see the leg spinner featuring in India’s Test team. “I think Kuldeep Yadav should be a part of Test match cricket if you have to take 20 wickets. Yes, there is Jadeja, Washington, and Axar. But Kuldeep’s X-factor is that it’s not easy to pick him. I would like to see him as the number one spinner in the playing XI, and then, you build the rest of the team around that,” remarked Kumble.
Kuldeep Yadav looking sensational in Asia Cup 2025
In Tests, Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t been getting a chance since last year’s October but in the limited-over formats of the game, he has done a superb job for the Men in Blue. In the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, he has claimed seven wickets in three matches at a frugal economy of 4.05.
India’s next Test assignment is against the West Indies at home in October. Shubman Gill and his side will play a couple of Tests against the Caribbean side and it will be interesting to witness whether Kuldeep will get the opportunity in the playing XI.
