A recent dip in form has intensified the pressure on Kuldeep’s position in the national squad.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed Kuldeep Yadav while stressing the urgent need for the left-arm wrist spinner to evolve his craft.
Despite solid numbers since January 2025, a recent dip in form across short-format cricket has intensified the pressure on Kuldeep’s position in the national squad.
Playing for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2026, Kuldeep managed just 10 wickets, logging a high average of 38.10 and an expensive economy rate of 10.29. As a result, he was excluded from India's upcoming T20I tours to Ireland and England.
“Look, the wickets aren't always there and I thought he bowled really well the other night. As someone who hasn't played a continuous string of games for a while, even in Test matches, he hasn't always played. No real concerns about him,” Ten Doeschate told reporters on the eve of the third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai.
While Kuldeep failed to take any wicket in the second ODI in Lucknow, he warmed the bench in the series opener in Dharamsala.
“We always like to play a risk spinner or a mystery spinner. But certainly the way the game is evolving and the way guys go after the spin now, it's the onus is back on the spinner to almost reinvent himself from time to time.
“Kuldeep as well as other spinners, especially having (spin coach) Sairaj (Bahutule) now to work with, they can work on a lot of tactical things and game planning and trying to come up with new ideas. I think Kuldeep is travelling nicely,” the assistant coach added.
Kuldeep Yadav played just one match during India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy were preferred over him.
With rising spin talents like Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey also performing strongly, Kuldeep’s spot in India’s starting XI is no longer guaranteed.
“I think the same as everyone else. You have to fight for your spot in the team and the team will always be picked on balance and role specificity. So, Kuldeep's got that spot covered in terms of wrist spin.
"We know where he bats in the team and sometimes you do want to go with an spin bowling all-rounder. If you look at the total impact on the game, playing on small grounds, playing in India where the white ball travels, that decision is often a tactical one.
"It's no slight on Kuldeep. There are a lot of players chasing his heels and I've got no doubt in his abilities. I'd say he's more than a guy who waits on the wings in terms of quality performance. It's our job to push him to make sure that he keeps getting better and keeping that kind of pace,” Ten Doeschate remarked.
Ryan ten Doeschate's message to Kuldeep comes amid reports claiming that the wrist-spinner is nearing a move to the Lucknow Super Giants in a blockbuster trade ahead of the IPL 2027. The high-profile swap reportedly centers around former LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, who is likely to make a "homecoming" to the Delhi Capitals.
(With PTI Inputs)