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Kuldeep Yadav, who last played for India in October against New Zealand, underwent surgery for a groin injury last month, and he is yet to start bowling.
Kuldeep Yadav is out of action these days due to a groin injury. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Kuldeep Yadav played in the first Test for India against New Zealand in Bengaluru from October 16 to 20 and picked up three wickets for the Rohit Sharma-led side in the first innings. But despite that, he was dropped from the playing XI for the next two Tests and then was not picked in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well, which is currently underway in Australia. Kuldeep’s absence from India’s squad raised a lot of question marks back then, but it was later revealed that he is dealing with an injury that made him unavailable for selection.
Kuldeep, who picked up 10 wickets for India in five matches of the T20 World Cup 2024, underwent surgery for a groin injury in Germany last month. While an official update on Kuldeep’s recovery is yet to be released by the BCCI, it has been reported that the wrist spinner is yet to resume bowling, which makes him a doubtful starter for the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.
According to a report in The Telegraph, Kuldeep, who picked up 15 wickets in 11 matches of the ODI World Cup 2023 for India, is yet to start bowling, and it’s not impossible but very tough for him to feature in the white-ball series against England next month.
As part of preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, India will face England in a three-match ODI series at home that starts on February 6 in Nagpur. Before the ODI matches, both teams will face off in a five-match T20I series.
“Kuldeep is yet to start bowling. Once he starts, he will have to appear for a match simulation or two, a few days before he is given the green light. As for the England matches, it’s not impossible but tough (for Kuldeep to return) as just over a month remains for those games to begin. But as far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, there could be a chance of his comeback, as there will be more time for it,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.
Despite question marks over Kuldeep’s chances of playing in the Champions Trophy next year, his childhood coach, Kapil Panday, remains optimistic.
“This month itself he should start bowling. I’m quite confident. He’ll be here (in Kanpur) by next week, and then we’ll make further plans. It may be a little early to predict Kuldeep’s comeback, as he will resume bowling first and then has to play a practice game or two while going through the other tests and processes,” Panday was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
“Bowling won’t be a problem for him, but how his leg feels and how comfortable he is with his run-up is important. So, if all these aspects click, I won’t be too surprised if he’s back during the England matches,” he added.
