Sourav Ganguly says Kuldeep is someone whom India will have to look at playing in the future after he didn’t feature in the playing XI in the Test series in England.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Former captain Sourav Ganguly said he would have liked to see left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI in at least three Test matches of the ongoing series in England.
“I wish Kuldeep had played in Manchester, Lord’s and even in Birmingham. Without quality spin, you will find it hard to get teams out on day five of a Test. On a pitch which had a bit of rough and there was a bit of turn, there wasn’t a quality spinner,” Ganguly, who used match-winning spinners well during his captaincy days, told reporters at Bisk Farm’s 25 years celebrations here on Thursday.
“In the past, great sides have had great spinners – whether it’s (Shane) Warne, (Muttiah) Murali(tharan), (Gramme) Swann, (Monty) Panesar, (Anil) Kumble, Harbhajan (Singh) or (R.) Ashwin. Kuldeep is someone whom India will have to look at playing in the future.”
While backing young pacer Anshul Kamboj to play a few more Tests, Ganguly said, “I was surprised not to see Mukesh Kumar in the national squad, especially with the red ball. His numbers in domestic cricket are phenomenal and these conditions would have been ideal for him to bowl.”
Drawing comparison with his playing days, when India used to have a star-studded batting line-up, Ganguly appreciated Indian batters’ performance in England. “We toured England in 2002 and 2007. From the opening to No. 6, everyone scored well. After a long time, I saw an Indian batting line-up in which everyone, right from the top order, middle order, lower middle order, has scored hundreds.”
Ganguly had some good words for captain Shubman Gill. “Shubman has been outstanding. If you give responsibility, you will get people who can deliver. Young Shubman, first hundred outside India (sub-continent), is batting superbly,” said Ganguly.
Published – July 31, 2025 07:02 pm IST