'He is a very tempting option without a doubt' - Rohit Sharma keeps Kuldeep Yadav in loop for first Test against England

In the anticipation leading up to the crucial Test series against England, Rohit Sharma has kept his cards close to his chest, particularly when it comes to the selection of the third spinner. The debate centres around the seasoned Kuldeep Yadav, marking his Test comeback since December 2022, and the reliable Axar Patel, who has been the preferred choice for home series in Kuldeep's absence.

Over the past year, Kuldeep has made a strong case for himself, becoming a regular in white-ball cricket. His modified action, featuring a shorter delivery stride, an improved front arm, and enhanced arm speed, has yielded increased purchase off the wicket. This success in the shorter format prompted the national selectors to bring him back into the Test fold. Left-arm wrist spinners inherently provide diverse wicket-taking options, adding a strategic dimension to the selection dilemma.

"Kuldeep gives you a certain X-factor with his bowling. You've seen how well he's been bowling of late. Especially the wicket if it has bounce, or if it doesn't have bounce, Kuldeep becomes a factor in those types of conditions as well because he has got superb variations,” Rohit was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"He is also a much more mature bowler now. He has not played a lot of Test cricket in India because of [R] Ashwin and [Ravindra] Jadeja clearly. But that is what happens. Like with our middle order, all of us got an opportunity really late. But that's the reality of it. You can't hide from it. But Kuldeep being the bowler he is now, from what he was a couple of years back, he is much more improved and he is a very tempting option without a doubt," he further added. 

Kuldeep Yadav makes use of domestic circuit to his best

Marking a significant return to the red-ball arena, the 29-year-old recently featured in a Ranji Trophy clash – his first in over seven years and the maiden appearance since earning Test cricketer status. His impactful performance against Kerala, securing four wickets in 26 overs, highlighted his renewed prowess. This comeback gains prominence due to Axar Patel's subpar display in India's previous home series against Australia in February-March 2023, creating a selection conundrum for the upcoming Test series.