Kuldeep Yadav faced heavy criticism as he didn’t play a single game against England. Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has finally broken his silence over being left out of the Test series against England. He revealed that he was close to featuring in four matches, but team combination decisions meant he had to remain on the bench.
India’s 2025 Test tour of England was widely regarded as one of their best in recent times. However, one of the most talked-about topics during the series was, “Where is Kuldeep Yadav?” The wrist spinner didn’t play a single match, drawing significant criticism for the team management, led by Gautam Gambhir.
The Indian side opted for extra batting depth, fielding both Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. With Kuldeep being the frontline spinner, his absence—especially after Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement—came as a major surprise.
Fortunately, India managed to avoid any setbacks, finishing the series with a 2-2 draw. Now, over a month later, Kuldeep Yadav has finally addressed why he didn’t feature in any of the games in England, despite widespread expectations that he would play all five Tests.
Clear Communication – Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav revealed that the team management had communicated clearly with him, emphasizing that their decisions were based on team balance rather than his individual skills. Speaking to reporters ahead of India’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against Oman, he said:
“There was clear communication. In four matches, I was close to playing, but the team needed batting depth. The message was very clear — it wasn’t about my skills or batting; it was just about the team combination. As a bowler, my primary role is to take wickets, and I’m also working on improving my batting.”
Currently the leading wicket-taker for India in the Asia Cup 2025 with seven wickets, Kuldeep remains unfazed by external noise around the India vs Pakistan game. On his rhythm, he added:
“When you step onto the field, it’s just a batter in front of you. I have always approached it this way against Pakistan.”
“My rhythm is set now. I’m in good rhythm. Initially, I faced some difficulty, but the wicket is perfect for spinners — even better than the Champions Trophy wickets.”
Kuldeep Yadav will next take the field when India faces Oman in their upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 19th September.
