Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has backed Kuldeep Yadav to feature in India’s playing XI during the Asia Cup 2025. Kuldeep, India’s premier left-arm wrist-spinner, has been on the sidelines in major series since his appearance in the T20 World Cup final. Despite missing out on the entire Test series against England earlier this year, Mishra is confident that the 29-year-old will be given a crucial role in the continental tournament, where India are grouped with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman.
Speaking to ANI, Amit Mishra emphasised that Kuldeep should back his attacking instincts rather than bowl defensively. “I think he should get a chance, but the key is for him to focus on his natural strengths. He’s a wicket-taking bowler and should always think wickets first. He should work closely with the captain and senior players like Gautam to plan his field placements and strategy,” Mishra said.
While Kuldeep has not played a T20I in over a year, he remains a trusted performer in the Indian Premier League. Representing Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, Kuldeep played 14 matches and claimed 15 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.08. However, his red-ball form has been quiet, with a wicketless outing in the Duleep Trophy against North East Zone after returning from England.
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Amit Mishra reiterated that Kuldeep’s success lies in his ability to stay fearless. “He should focus on wickets rather than worrying about conceding boundaries. Every plan must revolve around match situations, field placement, and how to outsmart batters. With this mindset, he will get a lot of help,” he added.
India has selected a diverse spin attack for the Asia Cup, with Varun Chakravarthy locked in as a sure starter. The team management will decide whether to pair him with Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist spin or Axar Patel’s all-round ability, offering flexibility based on conditions.
With marquee clashes ahead, including the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan fixture, Kuldeep’s inclusion could add variety and bite to India’s bowling attack. The Asia Cup 2025 offers him a golden opportunity to reclaim his spot as a match-winning spinner on the global stage.
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India’s Squad for Asia Cup
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
