Champions Trophy: Can Kuldeep Yadav be Team India's X-factor?
What's the story
Team India is gearing up for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy which gets underway on February 19.
The Men in Blue will play their games in UAE, having refused to travel to Pakistan for the event.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is among the Indian players to watch out for.
His skills could come in particularly handy on Dubai's spin-friendly pitches, where all of India's matches are set to be held.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Kuldeep is one of best all-format spinners going around, if not the best.
His ability to take wickets in the middle overs makes him a captain's delight in ODI cricket.
The spinner's stocks in the 50-over format have gone further up in recent years as he has been a wicket-taker across different conditions.
He is now gearing up for his maiden CT campaign.
Comeback trail
Yadav's return to cricket after injury
The recent ODI series against England, which India won 3-0, marked Kuldeep's return to international cricket.
A left groin injury had kept him out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.
He was advised to undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
The spinner made a decent comeback as he managed one wicket apiece in the two games that he played in his comeback series.
Prospects
Will Kuldeep continue to be India's lead spinner?
Notably, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy became a late addition in India's CT squad as star pacer Jasprit Bumrah got ruled out.
Ever since he returned to the international fold in October 2024, he has been the talk of the town though his success has come in T20I cricket.
This has led to debates over who should be India's lead spinner in the Champions Trophy.
Kuldeep vs Chakravarthy
Raina, de Villiers back Kuldeep to shine
Cricket legends like AB de Villiers and Suresh Raina have passed their verdict in the aformentioned matter.
Both ex-players believe Kuldeep should be picked due to his experience and rich record in the format.
Raina emphasized Yadav's versatility and wicket-taking ability. He also stressed on Kuldeep's experience of playing big matches as an important factor.
Meanwhile, de Villiers called him an 'x-factor'.
Career
Fastest Indian spinner to 150 ODI wickets
In September 2023, Kuldeep became the fastest Indian spinner to accomplish 150 ODI wickets, getting the mark in 88 matches.
He has now raced to 174 scalps in 108 games. The tally includes two five-wicket hauls as well.
Kuldeep averages 26.22 in ODIs as his economy rate reads 5.00.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Kuldeep has so far claimed 76 wickets across 43 away ODIs at an economy of 4.68.
DYK
Highest wicket-taker in ODIs in 2023
Kuldeep was on a roll in ODIs in 2023, having picked up 49 wickets across 30 games at 20.48 while maintaining a 4.61 economy.
Whenever there was a partnership, Kuldeep was Rohit Sharma's go-to bowler.
Not only was he India's highest wicket-taker, but also the highest overall wicket-taker in ODIs that year.
Kuldeep had a decent 2023 World Cup, returning with 15 scalps at 28.26.