ENG vs IND 2025: 'Kuldeep Yadav should've played at least three games in series' - Sourav Ganguly

A touring Indian team chose against picking star spinner Kuldeep Yadav in any of the five Tests of the ongoing series against England. While the Aligarh-born was slated to be slotted in as a specialist spinner on the English tracks, the think tank had him warm the bench for the entire tour, as all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar played the dual roles.

Meanwhile, the former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly recently shared why he wanted Kuldeep Yadav to play a minimum of three games, as the wrist-spinner failed to break into the Playing XI for any of the fixtures from Headingley to London. Ganguly remarked that India did not possess a genuine spinner in any of the Tests to exploit the conditions of the United Kingdom. 

“I wish Kuldeep had played in Manchester (fourth Test), Lord’s (third Test) and even in Birmingham (second Test). Without quality spin, you will find it hard to get teams out on Day 5 of a Test. On a pitch which had a bit of rough and there was a bit of turn, there wasn’t a quality spinner,” stated Ganguly at a Bisk Farm event as quoted by The Hindu.

“In the past, great sides have had great spinners – whether it’s (Shane) Warne, (Muttiah) Murali (tharan), (Graeme) Swann, (Monty) Panesar, (Anil) Kumble, Harbhajan (Singh) or (Ravichandran) Ashwin. Kuldeep is someone whom India will have to look at playing in the future,” he added.

Ganguly shocked with Mukesh Kumar being ignored

The former opening batter has also questioned the ignorance towards a swing bowler in Mukesh Kumar. Ganguly feels that his stats, especially with the red-ball, speak volumes of his calibre, and his exclusion came as a shocker to him. Furthermore, he reserved special praise for skipper Shubman Gill while drawing a comparison from the times he had led India to England to the current-day scenario.

“I was surprised not to see Mukesh Kumar in the national squad, especially with the red ball. His numbers in domestic cricket are phenomenal, and these conditions would have been ideal for him to bowl,” said the West Bengal-born.

“We toured England in 2002 and 2007. From the opening to No. 6, everyone scored well. After a long time, I saw an Indian batting line-up in which everyone, right from the top order, middle-order, lower middle-order, has scored hundreds. Shubman has been outstanding. If you give responsibility, you will get people who can deliver. Young Shubman, first hundred outside India (subcontinent), is batting superbly,” the former India skipper further commented. 

Gill has been the highest run-getter for India as well as across both sides in the current series. In the nine innings so far, he has scored a whopping 743 innings while averaging 82.55. India, who have made four changes from their side in the fourth Test, will have their eyes on drawing level in the ongoing match at The Oval.