Kuldeep Yadav has featured in just 13 Test matches since making his debut for India in 2017. India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has shed light on why the left-arm wrist-spinner has been overlooked in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England. According to Morkel, the team management’s focus on including batting all-rounders has kept Kuldeep out of the playing XI for all four Tests so far.
Before the series began, many believed Kuldeep Yadav wrist-spin could be the ideal weapon to counter England’s aggressive Bazball approach. However, he has remained on the bench throughout, and Morkel has now confirmed that team selections have prioritized batting depth over specialist bowlers.
The decision is under scrutiny, especially after England piled up nearly 600 runs in response to India’s 358 in the Manchester Test, taking a lead of over 200 runs. None of the Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, managed to make an impact as England dominated. Joe Root led the charge with his 38th Test century, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test history.
“How Can We Extend and Strengthen the Batting Line-up?” — Morkel Explains Kuldeep Yadav’s Ongoing Omission
After day three’s play, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel finally addressed the long-standing exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, attributing it primarily to the need for a deeper batting line-up.
“We’re always looking for ways to make the batting line-up longer and stronger,” Morkel said during the post-day media interaction. “Kuldeep Yadav is a world-class spinner and is bowling really well at the moment. But when we try to slot him in, it throws off the team’s overall balance—especially the batting. We’ve seen in the past that we’ve lost wickets in clusters.”
Morkel emphasized the importance of posting big totals, particularly against England on their typically flat tracks, where scoring heavily is often the norm.
“At the end of the day, it’s about putting runs on the board. Against a team like England, who play an aggressive brand of cricket, we need that extra batting cushion to aim for scores over 400,” he explained.
He also hinted that Kuldeep’s return to the XI hinges on the form of India’s top-order batters. Without consistent runs from the top six, it becomes difficult to include a bowler like Kuldeep without compromising batting depth.
“To be honest, the pitch has been dry and spinning a bit—conditions that suit spinners like Washington and Jadeja,” Morkel said. “But unless our top six deliver consistent runs, bringing someone like Kuldeep in becomes a challenge.”
Despite making his Test debut back in 2017, Kuldeep Yadav has featured in only 13 matches, a reflection of the ongoing struggle to accommodate him in a team heavily focused on batting depth.