Mumbai, June 2026: Fresh from a successful TATA IPL campaign with Delhi Capitals, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has turned his complete attention to the red-ball format as India prepare for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan and a crucial World Test Championship cycle.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Follow the Blues’, Kuldeep said preparations for the Afghanistan Test have been smooth despite the absence of experienced all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. He expressed confidence in young spinners Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar, while highlighting Washington Sundar’s growing experience in the Test setup.
Kuldeep believes the younger players are well-equipped for the challenge, thanks to regular exposure in India A tours and domestic tournaments such as the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy.
The left-arm wrist spinner emphasized that his primary focus is now on red-ball cricket, with India set to face major assignments, including a five-Test home series against Australia. He stressed the importance of quality spin bowling in Test cricket, saying a strong spin attack can change the course of a match in any conditions.
Reflecting on the transition from T20 cricket to the longer format, Kuldeep admitted the switch is not easy. He explained that while T20 cricket demands constant aggression, Test cricket requires patience, consistency, and the ability to bowl long spells in the right areas.
Having spent nearly two weeks training with the red ball after the IPL, Kuldeep feels prepared for the challenge ahead and remains confident that India’s players are ready to adapt quickly as they begin an important Test season.
