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
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