Indian left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has shared how former England batter Kevin Pietersen offered him valuable insights on bowling in English conditions and tackling Ben Stokes’ Test side during IPL 2025. The two spent time together at Delhi Capitals, where Pietersen was part of the team’s mentoring group.

Kuldeep, one of two spinners named in India’s squad for the England Tests alongside Ravindra Jadeja, has been working on his approach for the challenging tour. In the first Test at Headingley, India opted for their tried-and-tested strategy of playing Jadeja as the lone spinner with four fast bowlers.

But with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur struggling to make breakthroughs on dry surfaces, there’s now speculation that India might bring in Kuldeep for the second Test at Edgbaston, starting July 2, to add a more attacking spin option. Speaking to The Indian Express, Kuldeep opened up about the advice he got from Pietersen.

ALSO READ: Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan Reveal Untold Stories of Their Early Love

“Kevin Pietersen was part of our team at DC,” he said. “He shared a lot of inputs ahead of the England tour. He spoke about field placements, pitch behaviour, and the mindset of their batters. He told me spinners often come here thinking it’s just about holding ends while fast bowlers pick wickets. He said that’s the wrong way to think. Instead, he said if I get to bowl 15-20 overs, I should always look to take wickets and attack.”

Kuldeep Yadav, who has worked hard on adding drift and revs to his deliveries, knows his place in the XI will be justified only by wickets. “I don’t know anything other than bowling,” he said with a smile.

“If you don’t pick wickets, you don’t deserve to play, whether it’s in India or England. For me, the focus is simple — get the ball to drift and turn, and the wickets will come.”

ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Urges BCCI: Don’t Chop and Change, Back Shubman Gill’s Captaincy

Edgbaston has traditionally offered some help for spinners, especially later in Tests. Against an aggressive England batting lineup, Kuldeep’s ability to pick wickets could prove vital. But whether the team management will slot him into the playing XI — and who they might drop — remains to be seen ahead of the crucial second Test.