Matthew Hayden backs Kuldeep Yadav as India’s key bowler for the England Test series starting June 20. With Ashwin’s retirement, Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist-spin could be crucial in picking 20 wickets. Hayden compares his role to Nathan Lyon’s for Australia, highlighting spin as a cornerstone of Test success.
As India gears up for a challenging five-match Test series against England starting June 20 at Leeds, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has spotlighted a potential game-changer for the Indian side — Kuldeep Yadav. With the retirement of veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s spin bowling department is undergoing a transition, and Kuldeep, with his rare left-arm wrist-spin, stands out as a promising candidate to fill that crucial void.
Kuldeep Yadav’s background in Test cricket has been one of intermittent opportunities. Despite his evident talent, he has only featured in 13 Test matches, taking 56 wickets. However, his unique bowling style offers a refreshing variety and an ‘X-factor’ to India’s attack — especially in English conditions where spin can play a decisive role, particularly in the latter stages of Test matches.
Matthew Hayden, speaking at the Australian Summer of Cricket 2025/26 launch, shared his thoughts on the upcoming India-England series and emphasized Kuldeep’s potential to be a match-winner. “Looking ahead, I’m really curious about what India brings to England. Five Tests — that’s a tough, character-testing series. We discussed it earlier — someone like Kuldeep Yadav could be a key 20-wicket bowler for them,” Hayden remarked. His comparison drew parallels with Australia’s reliance on a consistent spinner like Nathan Lyon, whose absence was deeply felt during the last Ashes series.
Hayden’s perspective is rooted in his own experiences as a player and an analyst. He emphasized that historically, the best teams have always had one common thread — stability, particularly in their bowling attack. India’s current transition phase, especially in their spin department, offers an opportunity for Kuldeep to cement his place if given consistent chances.
The upcoming series holds added significance given the historical rivalry and the testing nature of English pitches. Moreover, India will look to redeem themselves after their previous overseas stints, where they fell short in key moments. Kuldeep, known for his deceptive googlies and sharp turn, could be instrumental, especially if the pitches begin to wear and assist spinners.
Before the India-England series unfolds, the focus will briefly shift to Lord’s, where Australia will face South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship final from June 11-15. Australia, who have dominated the 2023–25 cycle, will look to cap their campaign with a title. Hayden also weighed in on Australia’s current strength, noting their bowling depth as a key reason for their success.
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“We’ve still got a core group in the side, but it’s starting to shift in some ways. How long is Steve Smith going to play or Usman Khawaja going to continue? These are the characters sitting in that space — one that Stephen (Steve Waugh) and I have been in, and Virat’s been in as well,” Hayden observed, referring to the generational transitions in cricket teams.
He further added, “But for this cycle, Australia has been a very dominant team. I base that largely on the fact that you need to take 20 wickets to win a Test — and this team has a world-class pace trio, much like in Stephen’s (Steve Waugh’s) era. They also have a world-class spinner, and I’m sure we all appreciate the skill of Nathan Lyon. That’s been such a key part of how Australian teams are built.”
As the cricketing summer unfolds, eyes will be on Kuldeep Yadav to see if he can rise to the occasion and become India’s frontline spinner in a grueling series that demands skill, temperament, and the ability to deliver breakthroughs under pressure.
