Former India chief selector MSK Prasad believes Kuldeep Yadav should be treated as a first-choice player in every format rather than a back-up, particularly in Tests.
Kuldeep has won plenty of matches for India, yet his Test appearances have been limited. Since debuting in 2017 he has played 18 Tests, against 121 ODIs and 54 T20Is. He has also been part of India’s title-winning squads at the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The only genuine spinner
The debate has grown ahead of India’s two-Test series in Sri Lanka. Prasad, speaking on RevSportz, pointed out that Kuldeep is the sole specialist spinner in the present set-up, while Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are spin-bowling all-rounders. In his words, the record speaks for itself and Kuldeep belongs in the plans for all three formats.
Prasad also stressed how uncommon left-arm wrist-spin is, calling bowlers of that type a rare breed. He credited the 32-year-old with control, variation and skills that no other Indian spinner can reproduce.
Suthar should wait
On the young spinner Manav Suthar, who recently made his Test debut, Prasad was complimentary but firm. Suthar played against Afghanistan because Jadeja was rested, and with Jadeja back for Sri Lanka, Prasad felt there was no need to drop Kuldeep. Suthar bowled well on debut, he said, but could comfortably have waited in the wings on this tour.
