Kuldeep Yadav could be a key bowler for India during England tour: Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden feels that Kuldeep Yadav could turn out to be a key player for India during their five-match Test series against England, starting from June 20. Kuldeep is expected to be India's second main spinner behind Ravindra Jadeja in the new era, as R Ashwin has retired. Kuldeep hasn't played a lot of matches outside India, and has played just one game in England before the start of the upcoming series. advertisementSpeaking at the launch of the Australian Summer of Cricket 2025-26, Hayden said that he is curious to see what India brings to England. The former Aussie opener said that the five Tests will be a tough and character testing series for the young side. Also Read: Kuldeep Yadav gets engaged to childhood friend Vanshika in private ceremony
Hayden feels that Kuldeep will need to be a 20-wicket bowler for India in the series. The former Aussie opener pointed to how Australia have a stable spinner in the form of Nathan Lyon and feels each team needs to have a reliable spinner in their ranks. 'Looking ahead, I'm really curious about what India brings to England. Five Tests — that's a tough, character-testing series. We discussed it earlier — someone like Kuldeep Yadav could be a key 20-wicket bowler for them. We've had the advantage of Lyon's consistency, and his absence in the last Ashes showed the impact of losing a reliable spinner. The best teams, through every era, have always had one thing in common — stability,' said Hayden. advertisementSpeaking about Australia's chances in the WTC Final, Hayden said that they still have got the core group, but it has started to shift around a bit. However, he feels that Australia has been a very dominant team during this cycle. 'We've still got a core group in the side, but it's starting to shift in some ways. How long is Steve Smith going to play or Usman Khawaja going to continue? These are the characters sitting in that space — one that Stephen (Steve Waugh) and I have been in, and Virat's been in as well.""We've all faced that challenge where you realise maybe it's time to move on. But for this cycle, Australia has been a very dominant team. I base that largely on the fact that you need to take 20 wickets to win a Test — and this team has a world-class pace trio, much like in Stephen's (Steve Waugh's) era. They also have a world-class spinner, and I'm sure we all appreciate the skill of Nathan Lyon. That's been such a key part of how Australian teams are built,' said Hayden.Must Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
WTC Final 2025: Pat Cummins backs Marnus Labuschagne as opener, explains Scott Boland omission in bold XI call
Pat Cummins (Photo by) Australia captain Pat Cummins has named a bold and slightly reshuffled playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's, with Marnus Labuschagne set to open the innings and Josh Hazlewood edging out Scott Boland in the pace attack. Labuschagne, usually a steadfast No.3, will walk out with Usman Khawaja at the top, while teenager Sam Konstas misses out. It's a role change Cummins believes suits the team's needs and Labuschagne's strengths. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'With Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up really. It's not too different to batting three,' Cummins explained. 'He has experience, he has done well here at Lord's and in England in general.' Who's that IPL player? While acknowledging the challenges of opening with the Dukes ball in English conditions, Cummins highlighted the potential rewards: 'Opening the batting can be tough, but it can also be sometimes the best time to bat, before the ball actually starts swinging. There's an opportunity to score there.' Poll Do you agree with Marnus Labuschagne opening the innings for Australia? Yes, it's a great decision No, he should bat at No.3 Undecided Other (please specify) On leaving out 19-year-old Konstas, who has impressed in his early outings, Cummins said: 'Realistically, he's really young, he's got a long career ahead of him. So hopefully, even by not playing, we can show him there are learning opportunities.' A tougher call came in the pace department. Despite Boland's proven success in England, Hazlewood was preferred to join Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the pace trio. Bold prediction! Astrologer Greenstone Lobo picks winner of Australia vs South Africa WTC Final 2025 'There are some guys where you say you've done nothing wrong, don't change a thing — and that's Scott,' Cummins admitted. 'He's just really unfortunate to miss out. The message to Scott is this isn't the end. There's a lot of Test cricket coming up, and age shouldn't define selection. Hopefully by rotating our fast bowlers, we can prolong all of our careers.' The rest of the XI sees Cameron Green return for his first Test since back surgery, while Beau Webster retains his spot, providing seam and spin support in the all-rounder's role. Australia XI for WTC Final Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Part one complete as Popovic's Australia lock up World Cup berth
June 11 - Tony Popovic was already thinking about the improvements Australia needed to make for next year's World Cup finals soon after they sealed automatic qualification with a gritty 2-1 win in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Popovic took over as coach last September after the Socceroos made a poor start to the third round of Asian qualifying and has overseen five wins and three draws to book a ticket to North America. "Very, very satisfying right now, I'm sure it'll sink in as the days go by," he said shortly after the final whistle at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City. "It's been a very intense period since I've joined and I've loved it so far. We've done the first part, qualifying automatically, and now the next part is to be bigger and better for the World Cup." After beating Group C winners Japan 1-0 with a late goal in Perth last week, the Socceroos only needed to avoid a 5-0 loss to the Saudis to take their place in the finals for a sixth straight edition. They got the job done despite going a goal down in front of a hostile crowd, watching a Saudi player have a red card rescinded by VAR, and conceding a late penalty. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who was winning his 100th cap, saved the penalty to ensure that goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitch Duke either side of halftime would give Australia all three points. "To do it here in this atmosphere, you've got to deal with the weather as well, and it's not easy to show that character resilience and then quality, to come back and actually take the lead and win the game," said Popovic. "For Matty Ryan, his career speaks for itself and there's a lot more for him to achieve ... but it's a day he'll never forget." Former centre half Popovic was a member of the Australia squad that reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in 2006, a feat matched by Graham Arnold's team in Qatar three years ago. The 2006 squad had flair as well as the famed Australian resilience, and the task for Popovic over the next year is to build a team that can play a bit as well as fight. "We've built a good foundation now, and we want to really get better, get better kick on and try and do something special the World Cup," he said. "We need to play games to keep improving, giving other players that deserve it an opportunity and then we want to be a squad that's much better than what we are now. I think that's the expectation we should have."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
WTC Final: South Africa target Australia's weakness; Bavuma says 'there is an opportunity there'
Temba Bavuma of South Africa during a nets session at Lord's Cricket Ground. (Photo by) South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has pinpointed Australia's makeshift opening pair as a key vulnerability his side intends to exploit when the ICC World Test Championship Final begins at Lord's on Wednesday. Australia surprised many by promoting Marnus Labuschagne — traditionally a No.3 — to open alongside Usman Khawaja, bypassing teenage option Sam Konstas. Labuschagne has never opened in Tests, and the Proteas believe this unfamiliarity could tilt the early advantage their way. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I think there is an opportunity there,' Bavuma said on the eve of the 'Ultimate Test.' 'The conditions bring us into the game a lot. With the swinging ball — very different from Australian conditions and even South African conditions — that definitely gives us an opportunity.' Poll Who do you think will be the key bowler for South Africa in the final? Kagiso Rabada Lungi Ngidi Wiaan Mulder Both teams named bold XIs ahead of the one-off clash. South Africa opted for the returning Lungi Ngidi over Dane Paterson and retained Wiaan Mulder at No.3, while Australia's decision to reshuffle their top-order is viewed as a gamble. 'I think both teams have formidable bowling attacks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The real opportunity lies in the batting line-ups and how they respond to these conditions and pressure,' Bavuma added. Bold prediction! Astrologer Greenstone Lobo picks winner of Australia vs South Africa WTC Final 2025 Key to South Africa's attack will be Kagiso Rabada . Rabada returns to Lord's, a venue where he claimed a five-wicket haul in 2022, and enters the final in top form following his IPL stint with Gujarat Titans. 'I think he's in the best shape that he's ever been,' Bavuma said. 'He loves playing against the Australians, and that will be extra motivation for him. I think he's in a very good space.' With the stakes high and conditions promising assistance to bowlers, South Africa are banking on early breakthroughs to shake Australia's foundations.
