Following a rough outing in the 2026 Indian Premier League, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is turning his attention to the longer format, with his focus fixed on India’s upcoming Test assignment versus Afghanistan. The opening match of the series begins on Saturday at New Chandigarh, and Kuldeep has been named in the squad for the first Test.
The 2026 IPL campaign left Kuldeep plenty to learn from, but he believes the extra time he gained—thanks to Delhi Capitals missing out on the playoffs—has helped him reset for red-ball cricket. With more days available to work on technique and rhythm, he feels better equipped for the demands that Tests place on bowlers.
Quick facts
- Kuldeep Yadav is set to play the first Test against Afghanistan starting Saturday at New Chandigarh.
- The spin group is expected to be shaped by the absence of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
- Other spinners in contention include Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey.
- Kuldeep says he trained for 10 to 15 days and spent time getting used to the red ball.
- He highlighted the shift in mindset required when moving from T20 to Test cricket.
From IPL intensity to Test patience
In an interview on JioHotstar’s “Follow the Blues,” Kuldeep acknowledged how stark the transition can be once the IPL ends. “It’s tough when you switch from IPL cricket to red-ball cricket,” he said, pointing out that preparation is not optional in Tests.
He explained that the downtime worked in his favour, noting he trained for “at least 10 to 15 days.” According to Kuldeep, the emphasis was on getting comfortable with the red ball and adjusting his feel for the conditions.
Kuldeep also described the mental shift between formats. In T20 cricket, he said, the default mode is attack—constantly looking to go after batters and stay on the front foot. In Tests, by contrast, the batter has more time, and the bowler’s approach has to evolve accordingly.
He added that some players may arrive straight after the IPL final without as much time to settle, but insisted that those who are involved should still be in good shape. “It’s a challenge, but I’m confident everyone is preparing themselves well,” he said.
Senior spinner role and the new-ball challenge
With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel unavailable for the Test, Kuldeep’s responsibilities are expected to grow. Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey are the other spinners in the group, and since India commonly uses three spinners at home, the lineup could feature a debutant—either Suthar or Dubey—depending on selection.
Kuldeep believes both potential debutants are not only capable with the ball but also offer value with the bat. However, he stressed that the immediate task is not just bowling plans; it also involves helping the younger players handle the pressure of stepping into the national team environment.
In particular, he said his focus will extend to ensuring Suthar and Dubey don’t feel overwhelmed and can adapt quickly to life in the Test setup. “Now he has to focus not only on his game preparations but also on overseeing Suthar and Dubey so that they do not feel the pressure and adapt to the national team culture quickly,” he explained.
He further underlined the team context around the absences. “Jaddu bhai is not there as he is a regular Test player,” Kuldeep said, adding that Axar Patel will also be missed. Still, he feels the preparation has been solid, and he pointed out that Washington Sundar is already familiar with the Test rhythm, calling him “well settled in the set-up.”
Kuldeep then spoke about the expectations placed on experienced players when new faces enter the squad. According to him, the job is to make newcomers comfortable—so that they see you as a partner, feel free to ask questions if something is troubling them, and know support will be available when needed.
He also referenced the match exposure these youngsters have built over time. Over the last two years, Dubey and Suthar have been part of India A tours, and they have also played the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy regularly.
That domestic schedule, Kuldeep believes, should translate into readiness even if international experience is limited. “There might be a lack of international experience,” he said, “but when it comes to preparation, match awareness, or red-ball cricket, they are absolutely on top because they are playing regularly,” ending on a confident note for the challenge ahead.
