Sanjay Bangar backs Kuldeep Yadav to be India’s frontline spinner on England tour

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has put his weight behind Kuldeep Yadav to be India’s frontline spinner on the upcoming England tour. Yadav has scalped 56 wickets in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 22.16.

After Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, Bangar wants Yadav to be the flag-bearer of India’s spin attack ahead of experienced Ravindra Jadeja. Washington Sundar is the third spinner, who has been picked by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel on Saturday in India’s 18-man squad for the England series.

Against England, Kuldeep has bagged 21 wickets in six Test matches at an impressive average of 22.28 and he would look to be at his best in the English conditions.

“Kuldeep Yadav should be India’s frontline spinner for the first three Tests in England. With Ravichandran Ashwin unavailable and Mohammed Shami not in the lineup, India needs a wicket-taking bowler who can make an impact even in swing-friendly conditions,” Sanjay Bangar commented during ‘Follow The Blues – India vs England Test Squad Announcement Special’ on JioHotstar.

On the other hand, Bangar said England is not going to dish out spin-friendly pitches and Kuldeep Yadav should be India’s solitary spinner in the final XI.

“Jadeja is usually preferred overseas for his control and ability to exploit rough patches, but England is unlikely to offer spin-friendly tracks early on. The series begins in June with matches at Headingley, Edgbaston, and Lord’s — all seam-friendly venues,” he said.

“With Nitish Reddy as a batting all-rounder and a pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep, India can afford to play just one spinner — and that should be Kuldeep,” he added.

Kuldeep bagged 15 wickets in 14 matches for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 at an average of 24.06 and an economy rate of 7.07.

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.

Full squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav