As India gears up for the five-match Test series against England starting June 20 at Headingley, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has thrown his weight behind Kuldeep Yadav, calling him a potential game-changer for the visitors. With Ravichandran Ashwin retiring from the format earlier this year, Kuldeep now emerges as India’s frontline spin option—perhaps even the most crucial weapon in their arsenal for this challenging English tour.
“Kuldeep Yadav could be a 20-wicket bowler in this series,” Matthew Hayden told NDTV Sports, expressing his curiosity about how the Indian side would shape up in English conditions. The wrist-spinner brings a unique skill set that could unsettle English batters not particularly fond of high-quality spin, especially in the latter half of the series when the pitches begin to wear.
India’s spin department for this tour is relatively lean, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar included primarily as all-rounders. This puts even more responsibility on Kuldeep to lead the spin attack, something Hayden feels he’s well-positioned to do. The Australian legend noted how crucial it is to have a reliable spinner on overseas tours, citing the 2023 Ashes series as a prime example. Nathan Lyon’s injury in the second Test had a major impact on Australia’s campaign, which saw them squander a 2-0 lead to finish the series 2-2.
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“Lyon’s absence during the Ashes reminded everyone of how important consistency in spin is. The best teams across eras have always had that one stable, reliable spinner,” Matthew Hayden explained.
Hayden also spoke about the shifting dynamics in the Australian Test side ahead of their World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11. With seasoned names like Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja nearing the twilight of their careers, Hayden admitted there would soon be a generational shift. Still, he backed the Aussies to perform strongly thanks to their potent bowling unit.
“To win Tests, you need to take 20 wickets—that’s non-negotiable. Australia has had that edge with their world-class pace trio and Nathan Lyon. It reminds me of our era under Steve Waugh. That balance gives you dominance,” he said.
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As India eyes a breakthrough Test series win in England, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Kuldeep Yadav. If Hayden’s prediction holds true, the left-arm wrist-spinner might just etch his name into cricketing folklore by the end of this gruelling tour.
