With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 not too far away, teams have started preparing for the tournament. Although the teams are busy playing their series, they have already started planning the tournament.
But India, who are one of the tournament favourites, are facing some fitness concerns regarding their players. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav is believed to be yet to start bowling after being ruled out due to surgery.
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Kuldeep Yadav's race against time to secure a place in the Indian team
Kuldeep Yadav has been out of the Indian squad since the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, where he was one of the three spinners in the Playing XI alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
He suffered a groin injury during the match and was dropped for the next Test in favor of Washington Sundar. Kuldeep then went to Germany to undergo surgery. He had a successful surgery but there has been no other positive update on his injury.
It is believed that he is yet to resume bowling after his surgery, making it difficult for him to be part of India's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. A BCCI source claimed that the left-armer could still be a part of India's Champions Trophy campaign given that there is still time for that.
“Kuldeep is yet to start bowling. Once he starts, he will have to turn up for a mock match or two, a few days before he gets the green light. As far as the England matches are concerned, it is not impossible but difficult ( for Kuldeep to return) as there is little more than a month left for these games to start,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
“But as far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, there could be a chance of a comeback as there will be more time for that,” the source added.
Importance of Kuldeep Yadav in India's ODI squad
It seems unlikely that India will take any chances against Kuldeep Yadav's fitness. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. If he is not 100% fit, the selectors will probably keep him out of the squad.
Kuldeep Yadav is India's best spinner in the white ball format and is a first choice player in India's ODI team. He last played an ODI during India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2024.
He was also part of India's squad for the 2023 World Cup, where his feats helped India reach the finals. The left-arm wrist spinner has taken 15 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.26 and an economy rate of 4.45.
When will Kuldeep Yadav return?
Kuldeep Yadav's childhood coach Kapil Panday was positive about the player's comeback. He revealed his current status and also about his future plans. Panday was confident that Kuldeep could return for the ODI against England.
“In fact, Kuldeep felt a bit of pain even while playing the Bengaluru Test. Then I told him to stop playing as his condition might have worsened. After that he had a successful surgery in the groin in Germany last month,” Panday. said The Telegraph.
“He has been undergoing rehab at the Center of Excellence since the last week of November, which includes leg exercises like squats and others. He should start bowling this month. I'm pretty confident,” he said. he said.
“He will be here (in Kanpur) till next week and then we will do further planning. It may be a bit early to predict Kuldeep's comeback as he will resume bowling first and then have to play a practice game or two as he goes. through the other tests and processes,” he added.
Mohammed Shami's fitness a concern
Apart from Kuldeep, Mohammed Shami is another bowler whose fitness issues are problems for India. Shami underwent surgery in early 2024 and was expected to mark his return to the home Test series.
However, Shami could not be fit in time and missed the cut. Shami was then expected to feature in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but knee swelling prevented him from returning to international cricket.
Although he is currently playing domestic cricket, his fitness remains a big concern for the Indian team management. India needs an experienced player like Shami to be part of the Indian team for a big event like the Champions Trophy.