With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy just around the corner, teams have started preparing for the tournament. Although the teams are busy playing their series, they have already begun planning for the tournament.
But India, who are considered favorites to win the tournament, face some fitness concerns regarding their players. It is believed that left-arm pacer Kuldeep Yadav is yet to start the bowling after being sidelined due to surgery.
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Kuldeep Yadav is racing against time to secure a place in the India squad
Kuldeep Yadav has been out of the Indian team since the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru where he was one of the three players in the playing XI along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
He suffered a thigh injury during the match and was ruled out of the next Test in favor of Washington Sundar. Kuldeep then went to Germany for surgery. He had a successful surgery but there has been no further positive update on his injury.
It is believed that he is yet to resume bowling after the surgery which makes it difficult for him to be part of India's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. A BCCI source claimed that the left-armer could still be part of India's Champions Trophy campaign given that there is still some time for that.
“Kuldeep has not started bowling yet. Once he starts, he will have to appear to simulate a match or two, a few days before he gets the go-ahead. As for the England matches, it is not impossible but difficult (for Kuldeep to come back) as there is more than A little over a month to start those games,” The Telegraph quoted a BCCI source as saying.
The source added: “But regarding the Champions Cup, there may be a chance for him to return because there will be more time for that.”
Importance of Kuldeep Yadav in India's ODI squad
It seems unlikely that India will take any chances against the fitness of Kuldeep Yadav. He is currently doing rehabilitation at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. If he is not 100% fit, the selectors are likely to keep him out of the squad.
Kuldeep Yadav is India's number one bowler in the white-ball format and is the number one player in the Indian ODI squad. He last played in an ODI during India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2024.
He was also part of India's 2023 World Cup squad where his exploits helped India reach the final. The left-arm pacer picked up 15 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.26 and an economy rate of 4.45.
When will Kuldeep Yadav return?
Kuldeep Yadav's childhood coach, Kapil Panday, was positive about the player's return. He revealed his current situation and also his future plans. Panday was confident of Kuldeep's ability to make a comeback in ODI matches against England.
“In fact, Kuldeep felt some pain even while playing the Bengaluru Test. I then asked him not to play further as his condition could have worsened. Following this, he underwent a successful surgery on his groin area in Germany last month,” he told The Telegraph.
“At the Center of Excellence, since the last week of November, he is undergoing rehabilitation which includes leg exercises like squats and everything. This month itself he should start bowling. I am quite confident,” he said.
“He will be here (in Kanpur) by next week and then we will do further planning. It might be a bit early to predict Kuldeep's return as he will resume bowling first and then have to play a practice match or two while going through tests and other processes,” he added.
Mohamed El-Shami's fitness is also a concern
Apart from Kuldeep, Mohammed Shami is another player whose fitness concerns pose an issue for India. Shami underwent surgery earlier in 2024 and was expected to mark his comeback in the home Test series.
However, Shami was not fit at the right time and missed the cut. Shami was then expected to be part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but swelling in his knee prevented him from returning to international cricket.
Although he is currently playing domestic cricket, his fitness remains a major concern for the Indian team management. India needs an experienced player like Shami to be part of India's squad in a big event like the Champions Trophy.