Former India cricketer Amit Mishra feels that Kuldeep Yadav deserves to be included in the playing XI for the side's matches in Asia Cup 2025. This comes after the latter was chosen in the team's squad for the five-match Test series against England, but still failed to make any appearance for the team during the tour.
Ever since the T20 World Cup final last year, Kuldeep has spent most of his time sitting on the sidelines and hasn't been able to make much appearances on the international circuit. The 30-year-old last featured for the Men in Blue in the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand held earlier this year in March.
Mishra believes that Kuldeep should get a chance to feature in the Asia Cup and added that even though he is a wicket-taking bowler, he should speak to the likes of Gautam Gambhir or skipper Suryakumar Yadav about the kind of field he wants.
"I think he should get a chance, but the most important thing is that he should focus on his natural ball. He is a wicket-taking bowler. He should keep his mind right. He should talk to people like Gautam and the captain about the kind of field he wants and how to bowl. I think he will get a chance here," Mishra told ANI.
Kuldeep featured in Duleep Trophy
Kuldeep did feature recently for the Central Zone in Duleep Trophy, but failed to pick up any wicket in the two innings against North East Zone. Mishra advised the spinner to not focus too much on the boundaries that he concedes, but instead on taking wickets.
"He is a good talent, but he should remember that he is a wicket-taking bowler. He should focus on the wicket and not on how many sixes or fours he is conceding. According to the wicket and the situation, the bowling can change. You should always think about the wicket. You should think about the field and how to bowl. He will get a lot of help from that," Mishra added.
Meanwhile, India will be kicking-off their campaign in the Asia Cup with the clash against UAE on September 10 before facing-off against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. Their group stage will come to a conclusion with the match against Oman on September 19. The Men in Blue head into the tournament as the favourites and will be aiming to bring home a record ninth Asia Cup title.