The upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka presents a significant opportunity for Kuldeep Yadav to solidify his position within India‘s red-ball cricket plans. As the team undergoes a transition, Murali Kartik, a former India spinner, suggests that Kuldeep could take on a more prominent role.
Ravindra Jadeja is nearing the end of his career, prompting the need for India to identify its next generation of spinners. Kuldeep‘s experience could prove crucial during this period of change.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Performance Under Different Captains
Kuldeep Yadav has maintained his effectiveness as a bowler across various formats under different captains. Under Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep participated in 62 matches, securing 116 wickets with an average of 20.92, an economy rate of 4.57, and a strike rate of 27.4. He also achieved two five-wicket hauls during this period.
Under Virat Kohli, Kuldeep played in 75 matches, taking 140 wickets at an average of 25.34. He recorded four five-wicket hauls, with his best figures being 6/25. More recently, under Shubman Gill, Kuldeep has played nine matches, claiming 23 wickets at an average of 27.65, including best figures of 5/82.
These statistics highlight the varied responsibilities Kuldeep has undertaken under different leadership. Murali Kartik noted that Kuldeep Yadav has been a match-winner for India, though circumstances have sometimes limited his consistent inclusion in the side.
Kuldeep‘s Test record includes 79 wickets in 34 innings. He has a bowling average of 22.35, an economy rate of 3.53, and a strike rate of 37.9. His Test career also features four four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls, with his best innings figures being 5/40 and best match figures at 8/113.
Beyond Test cricket, Kuldeep has also performed well in limited-overs formats, securing 194 wickets from 121 ODIs at an average of 27.04. In 54 T20Is, he has taken 95 wickets at an average of 13.74.
Succession Planning and World Test Championship Implications
With Ravindra Jadeja in the latter stages of his career, Kartik believes that India‘s spin attack is at a crucial juncture. He emphasized the importance of planning for the future without Jadeja, who is on the “wrong side of the thirties.”
Kartik identified Manav Suthar as a potential successor to Ravindra Jadeja in the longest format. Suthar made his Test debut earlier this year, taking seven wickets, including a six-wicket haul, against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. He also secured two wickets and scored 45 runs, including a 41-run knock, in a recent warm-up match against SLC XI.
The upcoming series is also significant for India‘s World Test Championship campaign. India is currently fifth in the standings, having won four and lost four of their nine matches, with one draw. Their points percentage stands at 48.15. Kartik stressed the importance of improving India‘s recent Test performance, noting that their fortunes in red-ball cricket have not been favorable lately.
Kartik stated that the tour is critical not only for the spinners but also for the World Test Championship, especially if India is serious about Test cricket, given their current position at No. 5.
| Captain | Span | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 5-wicket hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shikhar Dhawan | 2021-22 | 7 | 10 | 25.50 | 5.52 | 27.7 | 0 |
| MS Dhoni | 2018 | 1 | 2 | 19.00 | 3.80 | 30.0 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 2017-21 | 75 | 140 | 25.34 | 5.12 | 29.6 | 4 |
| Hardik Pandya | 2022-23 | 11 | 15 | 17.06 | 4.83 | 21.2 | 0 |
| Rishabh Pant | 2025 | 1 | 4 | 40.75 | 3.95 | 61.7 | 0 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 2017 | 1 | 4 | 22.75 | 3.25 | 42.0 | 0 |
| KL Rahul | 2022-25 | 10 | 22 | 23.95 | 4.60 | 31.2 | 1 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2017-25 | 62 | 116 | 20.92 | 4.57 | 27.4 | 2 |
| Shubman Gill | 2025-26 | 9 | 23 | 27.65 | 4.10 | 40.4 | 1 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 2023-26 | 16 | 32 | 11.81 | 7.50 | 9.4 | 1 |
Ravindra Jadeja, at 37, is considered to be in the twilight of his career, making a succession plan essential. Manav Suthar, with his all-around abilities, is seen by Kartik as having the potential to fill a role similar to Jadeja‘s.
Kartik expressed his enthusiasm for Suthar‘s bowling, describing him as a “very, very good bowler” with an old-school approach and consistent skill. He believes that such a bowler has emerged at a good time for India.
The series against Sri Lanka will be an important step in shaping India‘s spin attack for the future, with Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar potentially playing key roles as Ravindra Jadeja‘s career progresses.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
