'Kuldeep Yadav can be India's Test X-factor' - Anil Kumble backs star spinner to excel in red-ball cricket

Former India captain and legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has come out in strong support of Kuldeep Yadav to feature more often in the Test setup, calling him the X-factor in the spin department. Kuldeep’s current form in the Asia Cup 2025 has triggered the debate around his place in red-ball cricket, with Kumble stressing that his different skill set is exactly what India needs to consistently take 20 wickets in Test matches.

Kuldeep has been in outstanding touch in the ongoing Asia Cup, where he has bagged eight wickets in three games, placing himself among the tournament’s top wicket-takers. Despite being part of the squad for the five-match Test series in England earlier this year, the 30-year-old was left out of the playing XI throughout, as India leaned on Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The series ended 2-2, but many questioned whether India had ignored their most attacking spin option.

“I think Kuldeep Yadav should be a part of Test match cricket if you have to take 20 wickets. Yes, there is Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel. But I think Kuldeep's X-factor is that it's not easy to pick him. And we have seen that. I would like to see Kuldeep being the number one spinner as a listed spinner in the playing XI. And then whatever you want to do after that, all-rounders, fast bowlers and then you pick the rest of the players,” he said on The Great Indian Cricket Show.

With Shubman Gill leading the Test team, India has depended heavily on all-rounders for balance. While Jadeja and Sundar offer control with the ball and depth with the bat, their presence has led to Kuldeep often going unused. The former believes that India needs a genuine wicket-taking option in conditions that demand more than containment. The chinaman has so far featured in 13 Test matches, bagging 56 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls to his name.