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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
India tour of England: Like England have Shoaib Bashir, India should back their 'surprise package' Kuldeep Yadav, says ex-India cricketer
Kuldeep Yadav (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: If you look at Kuldeep Yadav 's Test career, his highest wicket tally is against England — but all those wickets have come in home conditions. The left-arm wrist spinner has featured in just one Test against England in England — back in 2018 at Lord's — a match he'd prefer to forget. On a green pitch under rain-affected conditions, Kuldeep had a tough time. He bowled nine overs, conceding 44 runs without taking a wicket, and scored a pair with the bat in a match India lost by an innings and 159 runs. Now, with Ravichandran Ashwin retired, India will be counting on Kuldeep to shoulder the responsibility of leading the spin attack. Teaming up with fellow left-arm spinner and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja , the duo could potentially form a lethal combination. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! But can Kuldeep live up to expectations? Can he be India's trump card on this tough English tour? Will he recreate the magic he spun against England at home? Poll Will Kuldeep Yadav be able to lead India's spin attack successfully in the upcoming Test series against England? Yes, he has the potential to be a match-winner No, he lacks experience in English conditions Unsure, it depends on his performance Only if he receives strong backing from the team management As India gear up for the five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, former India left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju believes Kuldeep could be India's surprise weapon — and a potential match-winner in English conditions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Show Your Patriotism: American Flag Bald Eagle Garland Graddi Read More Undo "Kuldeep Yadav can be a real surprise package in England. If you look at the current weather conditions, they're not too different from India — it's been quite hot across Europe. That's why I feel he should be the first-choice spinner," Raju told during an interaction arranged by Sony Sports Network. "The team management needs to back him and clearly define his role. He must be made to believe he's going to be a match-winner," added Raju, who represented India in 28 Tests and picked up 93 wickets. "When you compare options, someone like Washington Sundar hasn't bowled much in red-ball cricket lately, and while Ravindra Jadeja can contain and even run through sides on helpful pitches, Kuldeep offers that X-factor. Like England has Bashir, India should bank on Kuldeep. He should be leading the spin attack in this series and must believe that he can deliver big. For me, he should be in the XI for most, if not all, Tests," he said. 'NOT SURPRISED BY SARFARAZ'S OMISSION' The debate around Sarfaraz Khan's continued exclusion despite his rich form is gaining momentum on social media. Even after an impressive debut Test series against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has had to wait for another opportunity in the playing XI. His omission from consecutive Test series has now become a major talking point among fans and former players alike. Sarfaraz made a strong start to his Test career, scoring back-to-back fifties on debut against England in Rajkot in 2024. Prior to that, he also notched up a 150 in India's first Test against New Zealand last year. Despite these performances, he was left out of the squad for the Australia tour and has once again been omitted from the upcoming England series. The 27-year-old has worked hard on his fitness, shedding weight and focusing on conditioning, but the call-up continues to elude him. He also scored 92 in an unofficial Test against the England Lions and followed it up with a blistering knock in the intra-squad match at Kent County Ground in Beckenham — smashing 101 runs off just 76 balls, including 15 boundaries and two sixes. What went wrong for Sarfaraz remains unclear. Former India spinner Venkatapathy Raju believes Sarfaraz simply needs to wait for his opportunity. "Not really surprised. He's a young player and there's a lot of cricket coming up in the next two years. If he's not in the playing XI right now, it might be better for him to go back and keep playing domestic matches. That keeps him match-ready for when an opportunity opens up — maybe due to injury or form issues in the main squad," Raju told "Sometimes, you just miss out because of team combinations. We've seen that in the past — even players like KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma had to wait for their chances. The good thing is Sarfaraz is focused on improving his fitness, he's shed a lot of weight, and he clearly wants to cement his place. He's definitely a talented player and has the potential to be a match-winner. Hopefully, when his chance comes, he'll be ready to grab it," he added. 'Nitish Kumar is a guy who can bowl that magic ball': India bowling coach Morne Morkel 'YOUNG TEAM INDIA WILL DELIVER' The upcoming Test series against England marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket. No Rohit Sharma. No Virat Kohli. And no R Ashwin. With Shubman Gill taking over as captain, India will field a squad that includes several fresh faces — some with limited experience, and others set to play in English conditions for the first time. India's last Test series win in England came in 2007 under Rahul Dravid's captaincy. Prior to that, the team achieved historic triumphs in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar and in 1986 under Kapil Dev. Can this young and relatively inexperienced Indian side script history once again on English soil? "If you look back at the Australia series — not the last one where we won the first Test but ended up losing the series — I'm talking about the one before that. Back then, we had a relatively inexperienced squad, but still managed to win two Tests and the series. Players like Washington Sundar and T. Natarajan went as net bowlers but ended up winning matches for India," Raju said. "This tour could be similar. There's a lot of talent in the squad, and many of these players have played overseas and understand what's required to succeed. It's a great opportunity for them to step up, make a mark, and establish themselves as reliable Test players. Let's wait and watch — I'm hopeful they'll grab their chances and deliver," he said.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Weekly Health Horoscope Predictions, June 15 to June 21, 2025: Tips for wellness and balance based on each zodiac sign
Aries This week brings a noticeable boost to your physical and mental energy. You may feel inspired to be more consistent with your wellness habits. Whether it's daily walks, a healthier diet, or simply better sleep, your body responds positively to small, intentional efforts. This is a good time to explore a fitness routine that's enjoyable and sustainable. Taurus Your health is likely to benefit from renewed motivation. If you've been putting off fitness or struggling to stick to a routine, this week helps you find your rhythm. Simple lifestyle changes will go a long way, so start slow and build up. You'll also be more in tune with your body's needs, making it easier to manage stress or fatigue. Gemini Your personal efforts to stay fit are starting to show. This week, you may feel more energetic, alert, and motivated to keep moving. Whether you've been exercising more or cutting back on unhealthy habits, your body is responding well. Focus on consistency rather than intensity. Cancer Your physical and emotional well-being is stabilising, and you may notice an improvement in your overall energy. This week offers a chance to reconnect with practices that nourish you, from rest and hydration to more meaningful movement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The American Flag Bald Eagle Garland Is Taking Long Branch By Storm Graddi Read More Undo Leo After a long period of nagging health issues, this week feels like a turning point. With better habits and possibly some medical support, you're finally regaining strength and clarity. Your body is responding to care, so don't slip back into neglect. Consider adding light exercise or mindful stretching to your day. Virgo A shift in your mindset is positively influencing your health. You're more motivated than usual to make wellness a part of your routine, and it's paying off. If you've recently begun any new practices like yoga, clean eating, or therapy, stay committed. Small changes are adding up to something bigger. Libra Slowing down may be the best thing you can do for yourself this week. Your body and mind need a gentler pace, especially if you've been feeling mentally overwhelmed or physically drained. Pay attention to your energy levels and schedule breaks throughout your day. Scorpio Relief is on the way if you've been dealing with chronic weariness or physical pains. As you start to feel more balanced and rejuvenated, your health is improving. This is the perfect week to establish a routine for your everyday health, particularly for getting enough sleep and exercising. Sagittarius The recovery of someone close may bring emotional relief, especially if you've been involved in their care. As for your own health, this week encourages better self-care and body awareness. Physical activity, even light movement, will help lift your mood and boost your stamina. Capricorn A lingering issue may finally be easing, possibly thanks to traditional remedies or holistic care. You're learning that small, steady efforts can be more effective than drastic changes. This week is a good time to maintain your routine and not let busy days interfere with self-care. Aquarius This week encourages a break from the usual intensity of your routine. You may feel the urge to slow down or change your fitness habits. Use this time to recharge, stretch, or try something new that doesn't feel like a chore. While staying active is still important, honour what your body is asking for. Pisces Your focus on health is gaining momentum this week. A more disciplined approach to exercise, nutrition, or sleep will reward you with renewed energy. Keep your goals realistic, it's better to stay consistent than chase fast results. If you're in recovery or managing a condition, this period supports healing and improved wellness. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
