Photo via Hindustan Times

Kuldeep Yadav breaks silence on Test snubs after match-winning spell for Yorkshire: ‘You feel bad for yourself’

Indian left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a sensational performance for Yorkshire, claiming match figures of 10 wickets to steer his side to an innings win against Essex. The milestone included personal record-setting figures of 6 for 50 during the second innings, marking his maiden ten-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Despite making his Test arrival back in 2017 versus Australia, the 31-year-old has been restricted to just 19 appearances in the format, having recently missed selection for a drawn fixture in Colombo against Sri Lanka when Saransh Jain was chosen instead. He has similarly been sidelined in Twenty20 Internationals behind preferred spin options Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy, and spent India's entire five-match Test tour of England watching without receiving a single game.

Reflecting on his recurring absences during a conversation with Neil Manthorp and Steve Harmison on talkSPORT, Kuldeep acknowledged that sitting out is personally disheartening, though he accepted that tactical decisions and lineup balances dictate selection. He clarified that his stint in the English county circuit is purely about personal enjoyment and growth rather than sending messages to national selectors.