"Felt I could play...": Kuldeep Yadav drags Gautam Gambhir into spotlight over shocking England tour snub

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has finally broken his silence on warming the bench for the entire Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England after winning back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE and Pakistan.

The left-arm spinner has been India’s biggest weapon so far, bagging seven wickets in just two games, including a fiery four-wicket haul against the UAE, and he is the second leading wicket taker in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after Junaid Siddique (9).

Kuldeep Yadav breaks silence on England snub after Asia Cup 2025 heroics

But just a few months ago in England, Kuldeep Yadav was forced to sit on the sidelines for the entire five-match Test series. India levelled the five-match Test series 2-2, but many felt that leaving out the wrist-spinner cost them a golden chance to script history in England.

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Now, ahead of India’s final Group A match with Oman, the 30-year-old himself has admitted that he was disappointed at times, but he never lost faith. Kuldeep revealed that the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was crystal clear about the decision.

The Chinaman bowler stressed that it wasn’t about talent or performance, but it was all about combinations and conditions. He insisted that it is easy to blame others for missed chances, but the real growth comes from accepting reality and working harder.

It’s easy to blame others: Kuldeep Yadav defends Gautam Gambhir

Kuldeep Yadav told reporters in Abu Dhabi, as quoted by Hindustan Times, “Communication was clear. Sometimes I felt I could play, but unfortunately, due to batting depth or combinations, I didn’t get a place. Gautam Bhai was straightforward about it.

It wasn’t about skill or batting but about team composition due to conditions. I enjoyed my time and learned a lot. When you don’t play, you learn more by observing and become a better player. It’s easy to blame others but tough to accept and work on your weaknesses and improve.”

Notably, Kuldeep would be aiming to continue his sublime form against Oman in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 match on Friday. After their final group match against Oman, India will face Pakistan in their first Super Four game on September 21 in Dubai.

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Kuldeep Yadav opens up on finding form in Asia Cup 2025

Meanwhile, Kuldeep admitted that performing straight in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 was not easy for him. He explained that for a bowler, rhythm is everything, and it only comes when you play matches regularly, but he worked on him during the sidelines, and it helped him a lot.

The wrist-spinner added, “Challenges are always there because when you play the first game, your rhythm is very important. If you keep playing regularly, your rhythm stays set, and you get an idea of how to bowl or spend time on the field and how to react. That was missing a bit.”

Kuldeep also revealed that playing in the Duleep Trophy 2025 helped him set his rhythm before the Asia Cup 2025. He signed off by saying, “But for me, it was a very good time to work on myself, improve fitness, and add volume to my bowling because that is very important. My mindset wasn’t to overthink; just focus on my strengths and bowl in the right areas.”