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Legendary India spinner Anil Kumble feels that Kuldeep Yadav should be a part of the side's Test team as the latter has the potential to become their No.1 spinner in the format. This comes after the left-arm spinner has turned many heads with his stunning performance in Asia Cup 2025. Kuldeep has picked up eight wickets in three matches in the tournament so far, carrying the Men in Blue's bowling department on his shoulders.
These performances have come at a time when there are a lot of questions around Kuldeep's future with the Test team. Despite making his debut in red-ball cricket back in 2017, the 30-year-old hasn't been able to become a mainstay in the set-up and has only played 13 Tests so far in his career. He was picked in India's squad for Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but wasn't included in the playing XI for any of the five Tests.
However, despite not having substantial experience in the format, Kumble expressed faith in Kuldeep and remarked that the latter deserves to be central part of India's Test team. He further remarked that the left-armer can go on to become the side's 'X-factor' in the format.
“I think Kuldeep Yadav should be a part of Test match cricket if you have to take 20 wickets. Yes, there is Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel. But I think Kuldeep's X-factor is that it's not easy to pick him. And we have seen that,” Kumble said on The Great Indian Cricket Show.
“I would like to see Kuldeep being the number one spinner as a listed spinner in the playing XI. And then whatever you want to do after that, all-rounders, fast bowlers and then you pick the rest of the players,” he added.
Kuldeep in line for Test comeback?
Though he wasn't able to make any appearance for India in the series against England, his fabulous performance in Asia Cup can lead to Kuldeep finding a place in the Men in Blue's playing XI for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies which will commence from October 2.
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