India’s tour of England in 2025 is heating up, with the five-match Test series level at 1-1 after two exciting games. Even though India won the second Test at Edgbaston, Kuldeep Yadav was not picked for either of the first two matches. With the third Test at Lord’s coming up, the team might be tempted to stick with the same combination. But this could be the perfect moment to give Kuldeep his chance.
Here are three key reasons why India should include Kuldeep Yadav in the third Test, even after winning the last game.
1. Kuldeep is Dangerous When Batsmen Try to Attack
In tough conditions, many batters today prefer to play attacking shots instead of defending. This is especially true when they know that scoring big runs is difficult. In such cases, they try to get quick runs before getting out.
England is expected to prepare a green and spicy pitch at Lord’s for the third Test. If England tries to hit their way out of trouble, Kuldeep could take full advantage. His variations, slower pace, and control can confuse batters who want to play big shots. In fact, it’s easier for him to get wickets when players try to attack him.
Kuldeep can also be very useful against England’s lower-order batters, who may struggle against spin. They’re usually more comfortable facing fast bowlers, but against Kuldeep’s wrist spin, they might not know what to expect. This can help India finish innings faster.
2. Kuldeep Can Be Effective When the Ball Gets Old
Team India has been facing a problem with the Duke’s ball. It gets soft too early, and once it does, pacers are less effective. Captain Shubman Gill and other players have already said that bowling with the old ball is not easy.
In the second Test, India struggled when the ball got older. England’s Harry Brook and Jamie Smith put up a huge partnership of 302 runs in those conditions. While India managed to escape because they had a massive first-innings total, that won’t always be the case.
Kuldeep Yadav is one of the few bowlers in the team who can do damage with the old ball. Jadeja and Sundar have done a good job in containing runs, but they have not taken many wickets. Kuldeep, on the other hand, is an attacking bowler who can make things happen when nothing else is working.
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3. India Should Plan for Both Innings, Not Just the First
It’s easy to ignore a spinner when the pitch looks green before the match. But Test matches go on for five days, and pitches can change. As we saw during the World Test Championship Final, the Lord’s pitch can become better for batting or start helping spinners later in the match.
So even if Kuldeep is not very useful in the first innings, he could become India’s key weapon in the second innings. He doesn’t need perfect conditions to bowl well. Just a little help from the pitch like rough patches or dryness is enough for him to make an impact.
India cannot rely on just Bumrah or hope that Akash Deep will deliver another masterclass every time. With the series tied 1-1, India has a great chance to go ahead, and including Kuldeep alongside Bumrah could give the team the perfect balance of pace and spin.
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