Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has admitted that moving from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to Test cricket is never easy. However, he believes the Indian players are ready for the challenge ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh.
Kuldeep had a difficult IPL 2026 season with Delhi Capitals. The left-arm spinner took 10 wickets in 12 matches. He averaged 38.10 and had an economy rate of 10.29. Delhi Capitals failed to reach the playoffs, which gave Kuldeep extra time to focus on red-ball cricket.
Kuldeep backs India’s young spin group
Speaking about the transition from T20 cricket to Tests, Kuldeep said preparation is very important.
“It is tough when you switch from IPL cricket to red-ball cricket. Preparation becomes very necessary. Luckily, I got time. I practised for at least 10 to 15 days, and got the feel of the red ball,” he said. “In T20, you are always attacking. You always think about going after the batter. You stay in the game with that mindset. But in Test cricket, it’s not like that. The batter has a lot of time.”
“Some players are coming straight after the IPL final. They don’t have that much time. But I’m sure they have prepared well. So yes, it’s a challenge, but I’m confident that everyone is preparing themselves well,” he added.
India will enter the Afghanistan Test without several experienced spin bowlers. Ravichandran Ashwin has retired, while Ravindra Jadeja is rested and Axar Patel has not been selected. Young left-arm spinners Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar have received their first India call-ups.
Kuldeep believes the new players are ready despite their lack of international experience.
“Yes, Jaddu bhai is not there as he is a regular Test player. We will also miss Axar Patel in the Test match. But the preparations have been good. Washy (Washington Sundar) is also playing Test cricket quite regularly now, so he is well settled in the set-up. Whenever a new player joins the team, your job is to make him comfortable. You want him to see you as a partner. If he has any problem, he should feel free to talk to you, and you must be ready to support him,” said Kuldeep.
“Over the last two years, these young players [Dubey and Suthar] have been part of India A tours. They are also playing the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy regularly. So there might be a lack of international experience, but when it comes to preparation, match awareness, or red-ball cricket, they are absolutely on top because they are playing regularly,” he added.
