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As India prepares for their opening match of Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE, all eyes are on the playing XI and whether star spinner Kuldeep Yadav will find a place in the lineup. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has praised Kuldeep’s professionalism and work ethic but admitted that final selection will depend heavily on the Dubai pitch conditions and the team’s tactical approach.
Morne Morkel praises Kuldeep Yadav for his professionalism
Addressing the media during India’s practice session, Morkel lauded Kuldeep for his dedication, even when opportunities were limited. The left-arm wrist-spinner did not feature much during the England Test series earlier this year, but according to the coach, he never let that impact his discipline.
“I think he’s a very professional athlete. His attitude since England, where he received hardly any game time, he’s still the guy that put the overs in. For me, Kuldeep has bowled a lot of overs in his career. He knows what to do to get himself ready for T20 and white-ball cricket,” Morkel said.
Kuldeep played a crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year, reinforcing his reputation as a match-winner. However, Morkel highlighted that his return to the XI will be dictated by surface conditions in Dubai.
Will Kuldeep Yadav get a chance in India’s playing XI?
The Dubai wicket, known for its unpredictability, has added intrigue to India’s selection puzzle. Early reports suggest a green surface, which is more favourable to pace bowlers. This has led to speculation that India may opt for a pace-heavy lineup, possibly including only one specialist spinner – likely Varun Chakaravarthy.
Morkel emphasized the importance of assessing the conditions before finalizing the XI:
“We need to go and look at the wicket. I believe there’s quite a bit of grass covering on the square. So we’ll have a good idea after the first look tonight. In terms of planning at the moment, we’re covering all bases, and the final call will be made on match day,” he added.
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The coach also pointed out that while past tournaments in Dubai featured tired surfaces, the current conditions suggest a fresh wicket that could assist fast bowlers.
With the Asia Cup opener against UAE approaching, Morkel reiterated that the team’s preparation has been focused and purposeful. The squad has been working on specific goals in training, ensuring players are ready for any role required.
“When we train now, we make sure it’s focused, there’s a purpose behind it, and we set goals. From there, it’s up to the bowlers to execute in the middle,” the former South African pacer explained.
While Kuldeep remains a strong contender, the immediate challenge for India is to maximize the conditions. The likely combination for the opening match may favour seamers, delaying Kuldeep’s return to the playing XI.
Still, his presence in the squad provides India with a proven match-winner who could become pivotal as the tournament progresses and pitches begin to slow down.
With India chasing another continental title, the focus will remain on the balance between spin and pace. Whether Kuldeep features in the XI or not, his readiness and professionalism have already drawn admiration, keeping him firmly in the spotlight as the Asia Cup 2025 gets underway.
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