India vs England | Kuldeep Yadav looks to cement his place in the Test side

India vs England | Kuldeep Yadav looks to cement his place in the Test side

21

Written by: SportsCafe Desk

no photo

Kuldeep Yadav, who made his debut in Tests for India in 2017, has insisted that he wants to cement his place in the team with the red ball on the tour of England. Yadav, who enjoyed good form in One Day Internationals taking 39 wickets in 20 matches, wants to continue his ODI form in Tests.

Last year in June, Kuldeep Yadav felt like any other fresh-faced youngster, excited to be part of the Indian dressing room for his maiden away tour. The ODI series in West Indies was the start of Kuldeep’s wicket-taking spree. Captain Virat Kohli has called him the ‘X-factor’ of the Indian team and would rely on his guile during the upcoming England tour.

In the last one year, the Chinaman has taken 39 wickets in 20 ODIs and has forged an effective wrist-spinning combination with Yuzvendra Chahal. Kuldeep has been selected for the ODIs and T20Is against England and Ireland. As he gears up for the shortest format, the UP spinner said that he has been working hard to break into the Test squad.

“This is my first tour to England. Personally, this series will be very important for me. England will also host the World Cup in a year’s time, so that also makes this series more important. Obviously, there are ODIs first but I am also focusing on Tests. For now, I have been planning more on how to bowl in Tests. Wickets may be a bit on the slower side in England, so I have been practicing for that. Before the ODI series in South Africa, I had given myself a target of picking 15 wickets, but for England I haven’t yet decided any numbers yet,” Kuldeep said in an interview.

The last time India toured England for a Test series in 2014, they lost 1-3. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were the main spinners and it would be interesting to see if the selectors opt for Yadav in Tests.

“There is one month’s gap before the Test series. In this one month, we will get used to the conditions. It’s not that we can’t do well in Tests in England. This is my first tour and I want to do well,” said Kuldeep.

India last won a Test series in England in 2007. However, in ODIs, India tasted success in 2014, with MS Dhoni’s side winning 3-1. Team England has their confidence high after drubbing Australia 4-0 in an ongoing ODI series. One of those victories included a world record score of 481/6.

“One should also see that Australia is not playing well. Their spinners are bowling fast and are not bowling at right places. If you pitch the ball in (the) right place, it will be difficult for any batsmen,” he said.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all