Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has asked new Test captain Shubman Gill to lead with a free mind. He also said that he would put no pressure on him, but he hoped that he would get to play consistently under his captaincy in Test cricket as well.

Talking about Shubman Gill’s captaincy and his role in the Indian Test team, Kuldeep told the Indian Express in an interview: “He should support me and include me in the XI for all matches, what else! A new captain has a lot of challenges and a lot on his mind. I don’t have any expectations from a captain. My expectations are from myself.  If I am playing, I should prepare myself thoroughly and give my best. He would have a lot of pressure on him, but there is no pressure on him from my side. He should lead the team with a free mind.”

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However, after Delhi Capitals’ defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 match in Delhi in April, Kuldeep Yadav was caught on camera, slapping his fellow Uttar Pradesh teammate Rinku Singh as well. Reacting to the incident, he said that he had known him from his Under-16 days.

“Rinku is ghar ka ladka. He has stayed at my home a lot. He is like a younger brother. He has been with me from U-16 days. People saw on camera that I hit him but let me tell you he is a kalakaar (character). What can I tell them about our relationship? People don’t understand, and I can’t keep explaining these things,” Kuldeep Yadav concluded.