Ravichandran Ashwin reveals when India should use Kuldeep Yadav in the ENG vs IND series

India will play a five-match Test series against England, and Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be the main spinner in the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin reveals when India should use Kuldeep Yadav in the ENG vs IND series

ENG vs IND: In 2024/25, India are going to start a new era of Test cricket, and it will be led by Shubman Gill. This change has come after the retirement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin has even retired from international cricket, which is like the end of an era for India. The team will now play a five-Test series against England, which will start from June 20. On this tour, India will take the field with new energy and new thinking under the captaincy of Gill. However, with the changes, there will also be challenges, especially regarding bowling selection.

ENG vs IND: What did Ravichandran Ashwin say about Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion?

In an exclusive interview with Backstage with Boria, Ravichandran Ashwin described the conditions as the most important in his opinion about Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the playing XI. He said that if there is grass or moisture on the pitch, then England should take advantage of it, and if they do not do so, they will make a big strategic mistake.

Ashwin said that if there is no grass on the wicket, the chinaman should be selected in the team for sure. The former offie gave the example of the Headingley pitch, where England's left-arm spinner Jack Leach took ten wickets against Australia in 2022, and that match also took place in June. Ashwin believed that if the pitch remains moist, then selection will become difficult for India, as it will be necessary to play Kuldeep as well and if Bumrah is fit, he should also be included.

He also added that if Ravindra Jadeja is kept in the team, he will give control in bowling and can also provide stability in the middle order. In such a situation, India can have a strong bowling combination with Kuldeep, Bumrah, Jadeja and Siraj. Ashwin called Siraj a 'warhorse' and reminded that his hard work should not be taken lightly.

I believe conditions are king, and if there is going to be grass on the pitch, if there is going to be moisture on the pitch, which I think England should leave. If they don’t, I think they’re missing a trick. If they don’t leave moisture, then Kuldeep Yadav must be a certainty and a fix in that team. But if there is moisture in that pitch, I think India will be in a bit of a catch-22 because I think Kuldeep should be there. So should Jasprit Bumrah. Whenever Jasprit is available and fit to be playing for the Indian Test side, he should be number one. Alongside him if you can play a Ravindra Jadeja, who can give you control and bat in the top five or six. Then with Kuldeep Yadav, we are talking about a serious bowling attack. And don’t mistake about Siraj, who has been a warhorse.”

OPINION:

If there is no moisture in the Headingley pitch, it will be very difficult to ignore Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm chinaman bowler can create confusion for the England batsmen, especially when he is in rhythm. However, Test cricket runs on balance. It would also be a risk to let go of Siraj's experience and ability to bowl long spells. Therefore, India will have to find a way to accommodate both Kuldeep and Siraj, rather than prioritise one. Ravindra Jadeja's role is so important that it cannot be ignored.

Jadeja not only gives control with the ball, but also strengthens the team with the bat. If he bats at number five or six, the team gets the freedom to play an extra bowler. Because of this, Jadeja maintains balance in the Test team with his all-round skills, especially on spin-friendly pitches. In such a situation, selection will not be easy, but if the pitch is helping the spinners, then the combination of Kuldeep, Jadeja and Bumrah can give India a decisive lead.

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