Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina believes left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be the side's X-factor in middle overs with the ball in the upcoming Champions Trophy games in Dubai. Since January 2023, India have picked 186 wickets in overs 11-40, and that's generally been the phase where Kuldeep has bamboozled the batters. On Saturday, Kuldeep, who's not played any competitive cricket since his hernia surgery in November, was included in India's squads for ODIs against England and the Champions Trophy.
With uncertainty over Jasprit Bumrah's participation and Mohammed Shami himself returning from an Achilles injury, a lot will depend on Kuldeep, who has 172 wickets in 106 ODIs, to weave his magic in the middle overs for India in the three matches against England and the eight-team Champions Trophy starting on February 19.
The good news, though, is that Kuldeep has been bowling at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is building up well to achieve full-match fitness. Raina, a member of India winning the 2013 Champions Trophy, also feels Hardik Pandya's seam bowling will be of importance in middle overs.
"From the way you will look at it, Arshdeep will be the key along with Bumrah, who will be very lethal when it comes to death overs as well. But the most important role here will be of Hardik Pandya, like will he come to bowl with Kuldeep? Moreover, will Washington Sundar or Axar Patel play?
"I feel that Arshdeep, Shami, Bumrah, Hardik, Kuldeep and Axar or Jadeja (will be the initial bowling combination), as you can increase the batting, especially with top five batters there. Hardik can be used as a floater, with Rishabh Pant capable of batting well.
"But the most important player in the middle who can
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