By Subhayan Chakraborty
As the Indian cricket team gears up for the first Test against South Africa at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens on November 14, one selection dilemma stands out: should Kuldeep Yadav be in the playing XI? With the pitch expected to offer turn as the game progresses, Kuldeep’s recent Test exploits make a compelling case for his inclusion over a third seamer or utility all-rounder.
Kuldeep’s resurgence in the longest format has been nothing short of magical. After sporadic appearances earlier in his career, he exploded in 2024, claiming 22 wickets across five Tests at an impressive average of 23.09. This haul was pivotal in India’s 4–1 home series triumph over England, where he dismantled batting line-ups with his deceptive variations. In the Dharamsala Test, he snared seven wickets in an innings victory, echoing his debut heroics at the same venue seven years prior. Fast-forward to 2025, and Kuldeep has maintained his edge, featuring in matches like the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand and the West Indies home series this year. Overall, in 13 Tests since his 2017 debut, he boasts 68 wickets at 21, with a best of 5/40 against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
What sets Kuldeep apart is his venue-specific wizardry at Eden Gardens. In four outings at the iconic venue, he has scalped 11 wickets at a miserly average of 11.36 and an economy of 4.28, albeit in white-ball formats (eight in ODIs, three in T20Is). He has thrived on Kolkata’s black-soil surface, which often aids grip and bounce. Remember his ODI hat-trick against Australia at the same ground in 2017? That flair could translate to Tests, where he can unsettle South Africa’s right-hand dominant middle order, including the likes of Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram, who have historically struggled against wrist-spin.
The squad includes spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep, signalling flexibility. With Rishabh Pant’s return, the batting depth allows for a spin-heavy attack on a pitch that won’t have live grass and is expected to slow down as the game progresses.
Critics might point to his occasional inconsistency abroad, but at home, Kuldeep is gold. Excluding him risks predictability against a resilient South Africa, the reigning WTC champions. For a series opener that could set the tone, India must unleash the left arm wrist spinner.
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Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharshan, among the first ones to arrive at the first optional practice session ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa.@gargiraut15 reports from the Eden Gardens.@ThumsUpOfficial #INDvsSA #INDvSA… pic.twitter.com/eE2SVNqEp7
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 11, 2025