India vs England: Kuldeep Yadav should have been part of the India playing XI?
India’s decision to bench Kuldeep Yadav for the entirety of the ongoing five-match Test series against England has raised many eyebrows. The left-arm wrist-spinner, known for his ability to turn matches on spinning tracks, was widely expected to feature prominently on English pitches that offered assistance to slower bowlers as the series progressed. However, the Indian team management opted to go with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, relying on their dual skills rather than fielding a specialist spinner.
India vs England: Team India will miss Kuldeep Yadav at The Oval?
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly recently voiced his surprise over the exclusion of Kuldeep from the India playing XI throughout the tour, spanning venues from Headingley to The Oval. Ganguly said he had hoped Kuldeep would be given at least three games in the series, highlighting how crucial a genuine spinner can be in English conditions, especially on worn-out pitches in the latter stages of matches. According to Ganguly, while Jadeja and Sundar offer balance with the bat, India missed the opportunity to unleash Kuldeep’s match-winning abilities with the ball. He stressed that Kuldeep’s presence could have made a significant difference, especially in closely contested Tests. His exclusion, Ganguly implied, was a tactical oversight by the team management.
“I wish Kuldeep had played in Manchester (fourth Test), Lord’s (third Test) and even in Birmingham (second Test). Without quality spin, you will find it hard to get teams out on Day 5 of a Test. On a pitch which had a bit of rough and there was a bit of turn, there wasn’t a quality spinner,” stated former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.
“In the past, great sides have had great spinners – whether it’s (Shane) Warne, (Muttiah) Murali (tharan), (Graeme) Swann, (Monty) Panesar, (Anil) Kumble, Harbhajan (Singh) or (Ravichandran) Ashwin. Kuldeep is someone whom India will have to look at playing in the future,” he added.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly also raised concerns over the exclusion of swing bowler Mukesh Kumar during the Test series against England. Ganguly questioned the team management's decision to overlook the seamer, emphasizing that Mukesh’s impressive red-ball record makes a strong case for his inclusion. According to Ganguly, Mukesh’s skillset—particularly his ability to move the ball in seamer-friendly English conditions—could have added valuable depth to India’s bowling attack. His absence, Ganguly admitted, came as a surprising omission.
In addition to his thoughts on team selection, Ganguly lauded current skipper Shubman Gill for his leadership and temperament throughout the series which is already a big cricket update. Reflecting on his own experience of captaining India in England, Ganguly noted the stark contrast between the challenges of his era and the poise displayed by Gill today. He praised Gill for showing maturity beyond his years in high-pressure moments, calling him a bright prospect for India’s long-term leadership.
Shubman Gill has emerged as the standout performer with the bat in the ongoing Test series between India and England. Leading the charts for both sides, Gill has amassed a remarkable 743 runs across nine innings, boasting an impressive average of 82.55. His consistency at the top of the order has been a major factor in keeping India competitive throughout the series. As the team heads into the decisive fifth Test at The Oval, they’ll be relying heavily on Gill’s form to help them level the series. India have made four changes to their playing XI from the fourth Test, signaling a strategic shift in their approach for this must-win clash.
“We toured England in 2002 and 2007. From the opening to No. 6, everyone scored well. After a long time, I saw an Indian batting line-up in which everyone, right from the top order, middle-order, lower middle-order, has scored hundreds. Shubman has been outstanding. If you give responsibility, you will get people who can deliver. Young Shubman, first hundred outside India (subcontinent), is batting superbly,” Ganguly concluded.
