Kuldeep IN, Debutant To Replace Bumrah? Ajinkya Rahane Answers India's Queries
Ajinkya Rahane urges Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in India's XI for the third Test against England. He also suggests Arshdeep Singh for Jasprit Bumrah, if the latter is rested.
Ajinkya Rahane has batted for Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in India's 11 for the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The Mumbai captain believes that on flat tracks, which have been the theme of the three Tests so far, Kuldeep's wicket-taking ability adds more value than an all-rounder's extra 25-30 runs, while also making the team less reliant on senior pacers.
Since his debut in 2017 under Rahane's captaincy, Kuldeep, once called India's best overseas spinner by Ravi Shastri, has played just 13 Tests. That's the same number as his current India bowling coach, the long-retired Morne Morkel, in that time. Unlike Rahane and Ravi Shastri, Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir have preferred batting depth over bowling might, choosing as many as three all-rounders in the Lord's Test.
'Depending on the condition of the wicket, I feel Kuldeep should play," Rahane said in a recent video on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Sportskeeda. 'If the wicket is similar to the last three Test matches, Kuldeep should play because you need guys who can get you those wickets. Our batting unit is doing really well. Even if you score 25-30 runs less, that's okay. But you need people who can get you those wickets. You don't want to depend on your leading fast bowlers every time," he added.
If India decide to bring in Kuldeep, it could be for either the big score-searching Karun Nair or Nitish Kumar Reddy, who did impress with the ball but failed with the bat at Lord's.
Rahane was also asked if Arshdeep Singh could be an able replacement for Jasprit Bumrah if India decide to rest the latter (which they haven't suggested they'll yet) at Old Trafford.
'I think so, yes," Rahane said. 'If Bumrah is not playing, Arshdeep is the guy. Because in England, you need a left-arm seamer who can swing the ball both ways, and also, with a different angle, he can create that rough for the spinners. So, if Bumrah doesn't play, Arshdeep should play the next one."
The Test begins at 3:30 pm IST on July 23.
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July 18, 2025, 23:17 IST
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