Robin Uthappa reflects on Kuldeep Yadav being left out of India’s playing 11 during ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa backed the team management’s decision to not play Kuldeep Yadav in the Anderson-Tendulkar series against England. The team’s think tank backed batting depth in all the five Test matches as they included all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur in the team.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav has scalped 56 wickets in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 22.16. Against England, Kuldeep has bagged 21 wickets in six Test matches at an impressive average of 22.28 but he warmed the benches in all Test matches.

However, Uthappa said Yadav has got some limitations in his batting and thus the team didn’t back him.

“Put Kuldeep in the 11 and make sure you’re batting is still in a state where none of the fans will go after the team management or the captain. With all due respect to Kuldeep’s prowess with the ball, he’s got limitations to his batting. That’s going to take a lot of effort from his side,” Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube channel. 

The former flamboyant batter urged Kuldeep to work on his batting to get consistent chances in the team, like Ravichandran Ashwin.

“Ashwin has got 5-6 Test hundreds. If he can do that at the lower middle batting order, say at number eight or nine, then he will certainly play more Tests,” he added.

On the other hand, Uthappa said Yashasvi is an absolute cricket nut. Jaiswal scored 411 runs in five Test matches against England and scored an all-important century at the Oval.

“I think he’s an absolute cricket nut. He is obsessed with the game, batting, and scoring runs. He has put in the hours and time. That is what makes him a unique prospect for me. He’s a cricket nerd,” he stated. 

Meanwhile, Uthappa believes Shubman Gill will learn as a leader with more experience and he did a decent job as captain against England.

“There is a difference between being a captain and a leader. We’ve seen Shubman’s captaincy in this series. He’s been really good at some times and inactive or passive at some times. Over a period of time, he will tactically get better,” he said. 

“As far as leadership is concerned, he is coming into his own since he started leading the Gujarat Titans. As a leader, he is leading the team well. He is not like a one-man thing,” he added.

Gill scored 754 runs against England to lead from the front.