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Kuldeep is part of India’s 15-member Asia Cup 2025 squad. In 40 T20Is played so far, the spinner has dismissed 69 batters.
Kuldeep Yadav has picked up 69 wickets in 40 T20Is played so far. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has picked the Indian men’s cricket team as the favourites to win the 2025 edition of the Asia Cup, which is set to be played between eight teams in T20I format from September 9 to 28 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In addition to that, the member of India’s 1983 ODI World Cup-winning team has also batted for the inclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI.
India will kick off their campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai and then take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the second Group A match on September 14.
India’s third and final Group A match is scheduled against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
“India is a strong favourite due to their skilled team. The unpredictability of the T20 format and the performances of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, noting that Afghanistan is currently playing well. There is controversy over the team combination, particularly the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, with selections often decided by selectors and coaches… Afghanistan is seen as a potential challenger to Pakistan, whose current performance and confidence levels are questioned. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are considered strong contenders. Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the team due to his unique bowling style, which is difficult to counter in T20 cricket, though the final decision depends on the wicket conditions and team combination. Two spinners and three pace bowlers should be included in Dubai,” Madan Lal told ANI.
Kuldeep did not get a chance to play in the recently concluded five-Test series between India and England; however, he was named in India’s Asia Cup squad. Yadav has taken 69 wickets in 40 T20Is played so far.
Yadav hasn’t featured in any international cricket since the Indian Premier League (IPL). He had a decent outing in the IPL 2025, scalping 15 wickets in 14 fixtures at an average of 24.07 and a brilliant economy of 7.08.
India, apart from Axar Patel, has only two spinners in their Asia Cup squad, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep. India has gone with the three spinners idea in their previous two ICC title triumphs in the T20 World Cup last year, followed by the Champions Trophy earlier this year.
Team India squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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