Kuldeep stays ready: Morkel hails “attitude since England” as India read the Dubai pitch

India will decide the spin combo on match day, but one thing is already clear: Kuldeep Yadav has stayed locked in despite sitting out since the England Tests. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said the final XI for the Asia Cup opener against the UAE will depend on how much grass there is on the Dubai square, a call the team will make after a first look under lights. He praised Kuldeep’s work ethic through a dry stretch of game time, calling him a pro who “keeps putting the overs in.” The message is calm and practical: cover all bases, pick by conditions, reward preparation.

Pitch first, then spinners

Morkel noted that Champions Trophy surfaces in Dubai were tired after heavy use, but early signs now point to a fresher square with a visible grass cover. That would tilt the balance toward an extra seamer and one specialist spinner, with the final decision coming after the team’s inspection before the toss. The staff have planned for both pathways—pace-heavy if there’s carry, or a two-spinner squeeze if it looks drier than expected. Either way, selection will be about roles, not reputations.

Kuldeep’s response to a lean run

Kuldeep didn’t get a game in England and went wicketless across 32 Duleep Trophy overs for Central Zone, but Morkel said his “attitude since England” has been excellent. The left‑arm wrist-spinner’s T20I record remains elite—69 wickets in 40 matches at an average near 14—and he was central to India’s T20 World Cup 2024 run. Even without minutes, he has kept rhythm through purposeful sessions aimed at middle-overs control and wicket-taking tempo. That readiness keeps him in every conversation once pitches begin to slow.

If it’s green: the seam plan

Should the surface stay green, India can load up on seam with Jasprit Bumrah anchoring the powerplay and death, a partner to share new-ball duty, and a flexible third seam option to bridge the middle. That still leaves room for one specialist spinner who turns the game in overs 7–15. The point is flexibility: carry enough pace for grass, enough spin for grip, and trust the captain to pull the right lever when the night reveals its pace.

If it slows: the spin squeeze

On slower strips, Kuldeep’s angles and pace variation pair well with Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery. Axar Patel offers control and batting cover, giving India the option to bowl 12 quality overs of spin without losing balance. Morkel’s praise signals trust in Kuldeep’s readiness to step in and lead those middle overs, especially in tight chases where one over can choke a rate. As ever, the XI earns itself by the wicket, not the calendar.

The bigger theme: purposeful prep

From the nets to the selection table, the staff mantra is the same—focused sessions with clear goals, then let players lead with the ball on the night. Kuldeep’s name sits in that plan because of how he’s handled the wait. India will choose based on what the pitch says; Kuldeep has made sure he’s part of every answer.