“A definite pick in the playing XI” - Sanjay Bangar backs star spinner's inclusion for IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has backed the inclusion of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the hosts’ XI for the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa. The contest is set to begin on Friday, November 14, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

On the eve of the Test, Thursday, November 13, during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Bangar was asked whether Kuldeep would feature in the playing XI, to which he said:

“He (Kuldeep Yadav) definitely deserves to be in the team because whenever he has played, his performance has been excellent. And don’t think too much about the New Zealand series, because whenever the Indian team plays at home, naturally, there will be two finger spinners and one wrist spinner. Having that combination as an option is always better. So, for me, Kuldeep Yadav is a definite pick in the playing XI.”

During India’s last home two-match series against the West Indies, where the hosts won 2-0, Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 12 wickets in four innings. Overall, the 30-year-old has featured in 15 Tests, taking 68 wickets at an average of 21.69 and a strike rate of 36.9, including five five-wicket hauls to his name.

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“India will go with just two seamers” - Sanjay Bangar predicts hosts’ bowling combination for 1st Test

During the same discussion, Sanjay Bangar predicted that India would go with two seamers and three spinners in the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa. Sanjay Bangar said:

“I think India will go with just two seamers because the pitch has black soil, a dark black-soil surface. The ball does grip and turn a bit here, and it also comes slightly slower off the pitch. Despite that, you would still want to have two proper fast bowlers, since in Kolkata the conditions get a bit cooler in the morning and evening, which can offer some normal swing. During the afternoon, there is also a chance of reverse swing." “Both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have the skills to exploit those conditions effectively. Meanwhile, the spinners will also have a role to play during the middle sessions. So, three spinners and two seamers would be an ideal bowling combination for the Indian team,” he added.

Meanwhile, this will mark Proteas’ first Test tour of India since 2019, when they were whitewashed 3-0 in the three-match series.

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Edited by Dev Sharma