Ashwin Bagin Back Leaggie para Ind vs D vs

The major focus that has wrapped India’s preparations for the upcoming Tests has been around Shubman Gill’s leadership debut, India’s pace attack and a possible battle for a spot between Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Hardly anyone has spoken about Kuldeep Yadav, who has been the most improved spinner in international cricket ever since coming back from his surgery a few years ago.

Kuldeep – India’s best spinner after Ashwin’s retirement?

For the first time, India will be without three of their stalwarts. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (almost) together, while Ravichandran Ashwin bid adieu during the high-profile Australia-India Tests last year. While the Indian batting unit is set for an overhaul, the Indian bowling will see a massive hole without Ashwin, who was perhaps the greatest spinner for the country after Anil Kumble.

But the world doesn’t end. Now, someone like Kuldeep Yadav has to take the burden. With his guile and effectively acting as a wicket-taking option, the Gautam Gambhir-led think tank shouldn’t miss out on him on the England tour. Well, not certainly if England prepare pitches that suit someone like the left-arm leg-spinner. Speaking to RevSportz, Ashwin backed Kuldeep’s inclusion, especially if there’s no moisture on the English surfaces.

When should Kuldeep be undroppable?

“I believe conditions are king, and if there is going to be grass on the pitch, if there is going to be moisture on the pitch, which I think England should leave. If they don’t, I think they’re missing a trick. If they don’t leave moisture, then Kuldeep Yadav must be a certainty and a fix in that team.”

While Headingley has traditionally offered great assistance to spinners, Kuldeep would take heart in the fact that Jack Leach, who was England’s premier left-arm spinner for a brief period, took a ten-wicket match haul at the ground in 2022. That match was also played in June, against Australia, with him taking 5/100 and 5/66, respectively.

“But if there is moisture in that pitch, I think India will be in a bit of a catch-22 because I think Kuldeep should be there. So should Jasprit Bumrah. Whenever Jasprit is available and fit to be playing for the Indian Test side, he should be number one. Alongside him if you can play a Ravindra Jadeja, who can give you control and bat in the top five or six. Then with Kuldeep Yadav, we are talking about a serious bowling attack. And don’t mistake about Siraj, who has been a warhorse.”