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Ignore him at your own risk: Why India must build future around Kuldeep Yadav's spin

Soumyajit Dutta

Kuldeep Yadav [Source: @oru_samanthan_8/X.com]Kuldeep Yadav [Source: @oru_samanthan_8/X.com]

The world of cricket has seen a lot fewer left-arm wrist spinners in recent times, and India has seen even fewer. However, Kuldeep Yadav emerges as one of the shining stars who is taking the chinaman category by storm after his recent exploits.

Consistently taking wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 and then the performance in India vs West Indies Tests, Kuldeep has been true to his 'magician' title that netizens labelled him with after the jaffas he bowled. Yet, despite being the magician he is, he had to sit on the bench for quite some time in 2024 and in mid-2025, too. 39 matches in 2023 and only 14 in 2024 across formats!

He has been a sharp weapon for India across formats since his debut in the national jersey, but it was only after the Asia Cup exploits that he was recognised again for being the spin strength he is for his team. 

What Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion mean for Team India?

Kuldeep is currently weaving his spin magic against the West Indies, and without getting a break, he will probably also feature in the Playing XI of India during the Australia white-ball tour, where he has been included in both the ODI and T20I squad.

The very first advantage that India will get from Kuldeep's inclusion is that his left-arm wrist spin brings a contrasting option to the predominantly right-arm off-spin and finger-spin arsenal. 

On traditionally turning tracks in India, he pairs effectively with off-spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, allowing the captain to rotate multiple spin angles to keep up the pressure on the opponent.

Kuldeep Yadav is also a proven spinner to extract drift and bounce on subcontinental-style surfaces, which provides India with a wicket-taking option when pitches offer assistance, reducing reliance on pace alone. 219 wickets in Asia and 156 wickets in SENA countries underline his use case for India.

The multiplied spin threat!

Kuldeep Yadav will be an asset beside Varun Chakaravarthy to dismantle opponent lineups. The 'Kul-Cha' duo managed to take 22 wickets from 11 ODI and T20I matches, which again screams of the effectiveness of using a left-arm wrist spinner and a legbreak googly specialist.

Moreover, the diversity and richness that Kuldeep offers with his variations of flock delivery, wrong ’un, and quicker arm balls are loaded barrels of destruction in any format. Kuldeep can stifle runs, give breakthroughs after long partnerships in the middle overs and can finally emerge as one of the most potent spin weapons for the country.

Kuldeep indeed can be the strategic fulcrum in the new and 'young' Indian setup, the puzzle piece that will make the entire picture coherent with his small tweak of the wrist that will make even giants bow down on their knees.