Many experts have argued that Kuldeep Yadav should be included in India’s second Test against England, which begins on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston in Birmingham. In the first Test, India’s bowling arsenal included three pacers, one spin-bowling all-rounder, and one seamer. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, who took five wickets in the first innings, no other bowler could put the England hitters under strain.
Kuldeep has been bowling at full power in recent net sessions, implying that he will play his first Test match since October 2024. The Uttar Pradesh spinner might play an important role at Edgbaston since the surface could be drier than usual, with high temperatures anticipated for all five days.
Ahead of the much-anticipated match, Kuldeep stated that collecting wickets is critical for a bowler to justify his spot in the team, especially in England. He also shared his basic success philosophy, which applies whether he is playing at home or away.
“If you don’t take wickets, you can’t justify your place in the team, especially in England.” “Whether you’re playing at home or abroad, the goal is the same: get revs on the ball, create drift, and take wickets,” he told The Indian Express.
Kevin Pietersen informed me that most spinners arrive in England with a defensive mindset: Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep collaborated closely with Kevin Pietersen during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The latter served as Kuldeep’s IPL mentor for the Delhi Capitals. The Indian spinner claimed that during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the former England batter advised him to bowl with an attacking mindset and look to take up wickets with every single delivery.
“He [Pietersen] provided me with valuable insights for the England tour. We talked about field positioning, pitches, and the batters’ mindset. “He showed me their lineup and emphasised the importance of an attacking mindset,” Kuldeep stated.
“Pietersen told me that most spinners come to England with a defensive mindset. They assume the fast bowlers will do the damage, and that they’ll just play a supporting role. But he told me to think differently-if I bowl 15 to 20 overs, I should be thinking about how to get the batter out, every single ball,” he added.
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