India left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav spoke about having clear communication from the Indian team management as he warmed the bench during the five-Test series in England.

The 30-year-old thought back on his path, which included embracing team dynamics and reestablishing rhythm. His statements depict a player who is unfazed by failure and thrives on self-improvement.

Despite making his Test debut for India in 2017 against Australia, Kuldeep Yadav has only played 13 Tests, taking 56 wickets with a best of 5/40 at an average of 22.16. He has a fifer in Sydney Cricket Ground during the 2018-19 Test.

“In England, obviously, looking at the conditions and the combination of the team, I didn't get a place in the team. It was a very good time for me to work on myself, to improve my fitness, and to give more volume to my bowling because it is very important. I learned a lot,” Kuldeep Yadav stated at a pre-match presser in the Asia Cup.

Kuldeep Yadav also stated that communication was very clear from head coach Gautam Gambhir that the only reason he was not playing was because depth in batting was needed.

“As a player, you learn a lot when you don't play. I couldn't make a place for myself by looking at the conditions or the combination. But Gauti Bhai was very straightforward. There was clear communication. I feel that that is a very important thing. In three or four tests, I felt that I could play, but unfortunately, I couldn't. Just because they wanted more depth in the batting.

When you don't play, you learn a lot, and you become a better player... because you have a lot of ideas about how to react in a situation. It is very easy to blame someone. But it is very tough to take things constructively and improve,” Kuldeep Yadav added.

While Kuldeep Yadav remains hopeful of more tests for India, the spinner has been in top form in the Asia Cup 2025. He has taken seven wickets in two games and won Player of the Match awards in both of India’s wins.

(Times of India inputs)