Where Is Kuldeep Yadav? India’s ODI Hat-Trick Star Missing Ahead of Champions Trophy
Where Is Kuldeep Yadav? India's ODI Hat-Trick Star Missing Ahead of Champions Trophy
Yadav couldn’t participate in the Ranji Trophy, was excluded from the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches, and missed the Vijay Hazare domestic one-day tournaments.
Kuldeep Yadav is a cricketer whose position is perpetually precarious. This is true even though he has been one of India’s top bowlers in all formats during the 2023-24 season.
After a single mediocre performance in the first Test against New Zealand, he became the first spinner to be excluded from the playing XI. Additionally, his frequent battles with unfortunate injuries further complicate his situation.
Kuldeep seemed to have secured his position as a regular starter in India’s XI across all formats, but a surprising BCCI press release on October 25 changed everything. His name was absent from all the squads revealed that day. While it was anticipated that he wouldn’t travel to South Africa for the T20Is and would instead be in contention for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, his omission from the 18-member Test squad was unexpected.
“Kuldeep Yadav was unavailable for selection for the tour of Australia since he has been referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence after the end of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand for long-term resolution of his chronic left groin issue,” this is what BCCI had to say about Kuldeep.
The medical report included some alarming details. The BCCI expressed a need for a “long-term solution” to his “chronic left groin problem.”
It was clear that Kuldeep would be sidelined for an extended period, and that turned out to be the case. He was unable to participate in the Ranji Trophy, was excluded from the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches, and subsequently missed the Vijay Hazare domestic one-day tournaments.
In December of the previous year, Kuldeep began sharing fitness updates on his social media accounts. For a solid two and a half months, the left-arm spinner, notable for being the only Indian to achieve two ODI hat-tricks, was unable to bowl.
In the final week of December, Kuldeep began his bowling practice. Although his progress was gradual, Kuldeep, accustomed to overcoming injuries and making comebacks, handled the situation with resilience.
However, there is a significant concern. Kuldeep has not yet achieved match fitness, and the selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is scheduled to convene in two days to finalize India’s teams for the limited-overs series against England and the Champions Trophy. If the selectors decide to include him, it will require a considerable leap of faith.
Yadav is a left-arm wrist-spinner who has consistently been part of India’s bowling attack in all three formats of cricket. He debuted internationally in 2017 and has accomplished impressive milestones, including five-wicket hauls in each format. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, he played a crucial role for India, claiming 15 wickets.
