It’s been a confusing month or so for Indian cricket, to say the least. After a first-time series defeat to Ireland followed by a T20I and ODI series defeat to England, many questions have been raised about Gautam Gambhir’s leadership and, more importantly, his team selection. One of the biggest questions surrounded left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and his future in the team, a situation that never should have even come up.
Kuldeep had been an all-format regular for India for years, an almost guaranteed spot in the XI, accentuated by his rare left-arm leg break. Following Gambhir’s appointment in July 2024, that spot has regularly been in jeopardy for no apparent reason across all formats.
It started with a disappearance from the T20I setup until September of last year, after which he only made sporadic appearances, with his previous being against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.
In Tests, he seems to be reserved as a home-only bowler, as he warmed the bench for the England tour in 2025, and in ODI cricket, which was the one place he seemed to still keep his regular status, he found himself dropped, once again given water duties, donning the yellow bib in the latest series against England.
Heading into the final game of that series, a decider at Lord’s, which has a notoriously slower track, India were missing Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah, setting up the perfect opportunity for Kuldeep to enter, who could fill that open spinner spot and bring experience into the mostly novice bowling lineup.
Instead, Gambhir opted to play four pacers, none with even 30 ODIs under their belt, and just the one spinner in Axar Patel, and India let England score a mammoth 387/3, the highest ODI total at the Home of Cricket, as the home side took the series 2-1 with a 27-run win.
Two weeks on from that series defeat, Kuldeep returned to Lord’s, repping the Yorkshire blue against Middlesex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup. Kuldeep had signed for the northern side for eight games, five One Day Cup matches, and three County Championship games later in September. After his unexplained omission, he was desperate to make a statement, and make a statement he did.
Never in doubt
In his five games, Kuldeep took a total of nine wickets, averaging a wicket at 23.22 at an economy rate of 4.23. His white-ball stint with Yorkshire has spelled just one thing, and that’s consistency, as he picked up two wickets in every single game he played, barring the final one. Kuldeep’s arrival brought on an incredible run of form for the white roses as they won four of their five matches with him, rising to second place in their group.
“I mean he’s been brilliant, absolutely brilliant to have around the group, he’s an unbelievably good cricketer,” Kuldeep’s Yorkshire teammate Will Bennison said.
“He’s brought lots of life to the group, he’s been really happy to chat to everyone about leg spin, about anything. I think he’s just brilliant to have around, really brings a lot of energy and he’s obviously a seriously good cricketer and he’s done really well for us.”
“He’s been outstanding, he’s been a fantastic professional, he’s really got round the lads,” said Yorkshire’s Benjamin Cliff.
“Obviously his skills speaks for itself. He’s really added to our attack and his experience has been fantastic. We’ll miss him, he goes back for his next tour, so we’ll miss him.”
This form remains in line with his ODI record in England, where he has picked up 15 wickets in 10 games, a record that’s only marred by his subpar ODI World Cup in 2019, where he got only six wickets in seven games. But that consistency was very much there in the 2023 World Cup, where he picked up 15 wickets, appearing in all 11 games and striking in every one except against Sri Lanka and Australia in the final.
That’s obviously crucial to note with the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, a region where unsurprisingly Kuldeep has remained a threat. In just 11 ODIs, Kuldeep has 21 wickets in the African continent, with an economy of 4.58. His read on the varying African conditions gives India a comprehensive edge and a malleable option for any venue across the three nations.
Batting? Not a problem
Another concern that has been cited by a few is regarding Kuldeep’s ability with the bat. But even in that department, the argument is not strong enough. Primarily meant to come in around nine, Kuldeep’s skills with the bat are perfectly suited for that position. A left-hander with sound posture and timing, Kuldeep can be crucial in rotating strike and squeezing in a couple of boundaries, ideal for that lower-order spot.
He demonstrated his form with the bat in these One Day Cup games, playing his role to perfection. A valiant 12 in the chase against Glamorgan, an unbeaten 22 with three fours and a six against Sussex and a prolonged 15 in a partnership with Dom Bess that frustrated Middlesex were some of his highlights with the bat, which may not be much in terms of runs, but is exactly what is expected from a number nine.
“Yeah, he could obviously bat,” said Cliff after Kuldeep’s partnership with Dom Bess against Middlesex.
“He was disappointed when he got out this afternoon, but he’s scored some important runs for us, especially down in Neath against Glamorgan.”
“I think he’s brilliant,” said Bennison about his batting.
“It’s really handy that our front line spinner couldn’t be able to bat. I think it’s great, he’s a brilliant cricketer and it’s great to have around.”
So while the road to South Africa 2027 may still be a long one, Kuldeep has begun his journey towards not only making that flight but earning a place in India’s starting XI for the opening match.
Across five games for Yorkshire, he reminded everyone of the qualities that made him one of India’s most dependable white-ball bowlers: control, consistency, wicket-taking ability and an infectious presence within a dressing room. Couple that with an outstanding ODI record in the African nations and in World Cups, and the case for his inclusion becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.
It is bizarre to imagine that a player with 368 international wickets finds himself fighting for his place. But if this short stint with Yorkshire has proved anything, it is that Kuldeep’s quality has never been the issue. The only real question is whether India’s selectors are willing to trust one of their most proven match-winners before it is too late.
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