With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 not too far away, the teams have started to prepare for the tournament. Although the teams are busy playing their series, they have already started planning for the tournament.
But India, who are one of the favorites for the tournament is facing some fitness concerns regarding its players. It is believed that the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is yet to start bowling after being sidelined due to surgery.
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Kuldeep Yadav’s race against time to secure a spot in India’s squad
Kuldeep Yadav has been out of the Indian team since the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru where he was one of the three spinners in the Playing XI alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
He suffered a groin injury during the match and was dropped for the next Test in favor of Washington Sundar. Kuldeep then went to Germany to undergo surgery. He had a successful operation but there was no other positive update on his injury.
It is believed that he is yet to resume bowling after his surgery which makes it tough for him to be a part of India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. A BCCI source claimed that the left-armer could still be a part of India’s Champions Trophy campaign given there is still some time for it.
“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,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
“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,” the source further added.
Kuldeep Yadav’s importance in India’s ODI squad
It seems unlikely that India will take any chances against Kuldeep Yadav’s fitness. Currently, he is doing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. If he is not 100% fit, the selectors are likely to keep him out of the squad.
Kuldeep Yadav is India’s premier spinner in the white-ball format and is a first-choice player in India’s ODI squad. He last played an ODI during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2024.
He was also a part of India’s World Cup 2023 squad where his exploits helped India make it to the final. The left-arm wrist-spinner picked up 15 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.26 and an economy rate of 4.45.
When will Kuldeep Yadav make a comeback?
Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach Kapil Panday was positive about the player’s comeback. He revealed his current status and also about his future plans. Panday was confident that Kuldeep could make a comeback for the ODIs against England.
“Actually, Kuldeep felt a bit of pain even while playing the Bengaluru Test. Then I told him not to play further as his situation could have worsened. After that, he had a successful surgery in the groin area in Germany last month,” Panday told The Telegraph.
“At the Centre of Excellence, since the last week of November, he’s undergoing rehab which includes leg exercises like squats and all. This month itself he should start bowling. I’m quite confident,” he said.
“He’ll be here (in Kanpur) by next week and then we’ll make further planning. 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,” he added.
Mohammed Shami’s fitness a concern too
Apart from Kuldeep, Mohammed Shami is another bowler whose fitness concerns are trouble for India. Shami had surgery earlier in 2024 and was expected to mark his return in the home Test series.
However, Shami could not be fit in time and missed the cut. Shami was then expected to be a part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but swelling in his knee prevented him from coming back into international cricket.
Although he is playing domestic cricket currently, his fitness remains a huge concern for the Indian team management. India needs an experienced player like Shami to be a part of India’s squad for a big event like the Champions Trophy.
