“Don’t be defensive in mindset”- Kuldeep Yadav reveals Kevin Pietersen’s advice to him for England Tests

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has advised Team India bowler Kuldeep Yadav not to be limited to a traditional defensive spinner role during the England visit, according to Yadav. The two most recently collaborated while playing for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).

Along with Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav won a spot in the touring team for his spin-related skills. There was a gap in the team following Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement during the 2024–25 Border–Gavaskar series.

During the 2018 tour, the left-arm wrist spinner played in the Lord's Test as a member of the Indian team. He lost by an innings and 159 runs, though, with dreadful numbers of 0-44 off nine overs.  

As India continued to rely on their senior finger-spin all-rounders, he was left out of the 2021–22 tour despite having an impressive white-ball record in the country.

“Take the field with an attacking mindset”- Kuldeep Yadav on Kevin Pietersen’s advice

Although Kuldeep was left out of the starting lineup for the 2025 series opener in Headingley, he is anticipated to contribute at some point throughout the five-match series. During the 2025 IPL season on the subcontinent, the spinner recalled how Kevin Pietersen helped him get ready for the England tour.

"Kevin Petersen was part of our team at DC. He gave me a lot of input for the England tour. He told me about fielding positions, pitches, and the batsmen. We ran through their batting lineup. He told me about the mindset needed in England.

Pietersen said that generally, spinners come to England with a defensive mindset. They think that in England, fast bowlers will get wickets and they will be in a supporting role. He told me to take the field with an attacking mindset. If I get a game and bowl 15 to 20 overs, I have to always think about how to get the batsmen out," Kuldeep Yadav told the Indian Express.

During the first Test of the series in Leeds, spinners did not play a major role. Despite having the opportunity to bowl on a slightly roughened Day 5 pitch, India's Ravindra Jadeja only claimed one wicket in the match, while England's Shoaib Bashir took three.

Only two Test matches outside of the subcontinent have been played by Kuldeep Yadav, including the previously mentioned, unmemorable match at Lord's. But his current form promises wickets, and he also has a five-wicket haul from the 2018–19 Border–Gavaskar series in Sydney.

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