Ahead of India’s five-Test series in England, Kuldeep Yadav has been spending time with Ravindra Jadeja on and off the field, relying largely on his experience. In the absence of R Ashwin, who has retired from Test cricket, the left-arm wrist spinner is taking in as much tactical knowledge as he can from Jadeja.
“I’m actually spending a lot of time with him, not only on the field, but also outside as well,” Kuldeep said. “So it has actually helped me a lot in terms of tactics and the field placements, and he has given some tips as well.”
Because of his versatility, Jadeja is anticipated to be India’s top spinner on this tour. However, Kuldeep is probably going to be involved if the circumstances permit two spinners. He took 19 wickets at an average of 20.15 in four games, playing a significant role in India’s 4-1 victory over England in the Test series earlier in 2024.
“Playing alongside Jadeja is such a great honour for me,” he added. “Obviously, Jadeja and [R] Ashwin have been brilliant over the last few years. When I made my debut in India, they helped me a lot. And even now, we have been having a lot of chat about how to bowl to certain batters, given the way the England batters are batting at the moment.”
Since his debut, Kuldeep’s Test career has taken off. He now holds the highest strike rate in Test history for any spinner with at least 50 wickets, with 56 wickets from 13 Tests at an average of 22.16 and a strike rate of 37.3.
He has only ever played one Test match in England, at Lord’s in 2018, where he gave up 44 runs in nine overs without a wicket. However, he expects that the conditions this time would allow spinners greater influence because he is now a much more complete bowler.
“It seems like there will be good wickets for spinners,” he said. “The wicket for the practice match was good for batting. There was some light moisture on the first day, and the seamers got some help, but as the game went on, I felt there was some bounce for the spinners.”
He continued: “While I didn’t get much turn during my first spell on the first day, it’s day three today and I’ll get to know how the wicket is now when I get to bowl, but whatever practice sessions I’ve had so far, the ball has been turning a bit. It’ll be really nice if it remains this way during the [Test] matches too.”
According to Kuldeep, the focus is on building bowling volume, especially after months of T20 cricket.
“We’ve played a lot of T20 in the last four-five months, so volume is very important, and all the bowlers are instructed to bowl as many overs [in practice as they would in a match]: the fast bowlers will bowl at least 15 to 20 overs so they can build up fully for the Test match, and it’s the same for the spinners – the more they bowl, the better it will be.”
Additionally, the practice sessions have given the team a chance to adapt to new dynamics. Kuldeep currently sits next to Jadeja on the squad bus since Rohit Sharma departed from Test cricket.
“I can never take Rohit bhai’s place,” he said with a laugh. “It’s just that I’m spending a lot of time with Jaddu bhai. It’s obviously very important for me as a spinner, because Ash bhai [Ashwin, also retired] isn’t there, and I’ve learned a lot from Ash bhai, and now that he isn’t there, [I’m looking to learn from] whichever senior player is there.”
Kuldeep also praised new captain Shubman Gill, who took over the Test leadership in the wake of Rohit’s retirement.
“Shubman knows how to lead a team,” he said. “He has worked under the seniors in the last couple of years. In the last one year, you’d have seen him in a lot of discussions with Rohit bhai – not only in Tests but even in ODIs.”
“I have seen over the last three-four sessions that Shubman has the same qualities that I’ve seen in our previous leadership groups. He’s fully ready to lead us,” Kuldeep said. “As a leader, he’s very motivated and he’s been playing an active role in lifting the team.”
