Kuldeep Yadav
Indian leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has revealed during a press conference on Sunday that he has taken former captain Rohit Sharma’s seat on the team bus, choosing to sit alongside veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja following Rohit’s retirement from Test cricket ahead of the next World Test Championship cycle. The change in seating arrangements comes as India undergoes a leadership transition, with Shubman Gill taking over as the new Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s departure from the format. Kuldeep clarified his decision to occupy Rohit’s former seat during the press conference, emphasizing that the move was primarily motivated by his desire to spend more time with Jadeja, especially given R Ashwin’s absence from the team. “Uspe main baithta hu (I sit there),” Kuldeep said during the press conference. “I can never take Rohit bhai’s place. It’s just that I am spending more time with Jaddu bhai. It’s important as a spinner for me because Ash bhai is not there. I have learnt a lot from him. When I started my cricket, I have played with both of them. Very lucky to have Jadeja as my spin partner. I am enjoying it,” Kuldeep explained. The team is preparing for challenging conditions in England, where Jadeja brings considerable experience having played 12 Tests, while Kuldeep has limited exposure with just nine overs bowled in his single Test appearance in English conditions. The departure of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has created opportunities for younger players to step up, particularly in demanding overseas conditions where batting against swing bowling presents significant challenges. Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? The pressure is particularly notable for new captain Shubman Gill, who needs to improve his overseas batting record while leading the team in these testing conditions. Kuldeep acknowledged the impact of losing senior players while highlighting the opportunities it presents for younger team members. “When the seniors go away, their absence is always felt. Virat bhai and Rohit bhai have done so much for the team. They will be missed, but it’s also an opportunity for youngsters to perform well. But yes, I am sure everybody would be missing the seniors. But the youngsters are excited for the challenge. Batsmen are working very hard in the nets and preparing really well,” Kuldeep stated.
The team’s preparation appears focused on adapting to English conditions, with batsmen putting in extra work during practice sessions to ready themselves for the upcoming challenges. The transition period marks a significant phase for Indian cricket, as the team works to maintain its competitive edge while integrating new leadership and younger players into key roles. This scenario presents both challenges and opportunities for the Indian cricket team, as they look to build on their past successes while adapting to the absence of experienced players who have been instrumental in their recent achievements.
