India’s left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is still in rehabilitation after undergoing surgery for a groin injury, and his return to competitive cricket remains uncertain. Kuldeep has been sidelined since October, following the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, where he suffered the injury. After surgery in Germany, the spinner is now recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), but he has yet to resume bowling.
The Champions Trophy, set to take place later in 2024, has been a significant event for Indian cricket fans, as the tournament returns for the first time since 2017. Although the exact schedule remains unannounced, England’s squad for the competition has been revealed, and preparations are underway. The tournament will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, with a hybrid model in place. England’s limited-overs tour to India, featuring five ODIs and three T20Is, will serve as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy.
India is also gearing up for the tournament, with several key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah making their return to limited-overs cricket. However, the focus is on Kuldeep Yadav, whose injury status is a cause for concern. According to a BCCI source, Kuldeep has yet to start bowling, and he will need to go through match simulations before being cleared for action. With just over a month left before the England series, the timeline for his return to competitive cricket is tight. While a return for the Champions Trophy is not impossible, it remains a race against time for Kuldeep.
Kuldeep’s childhood coach, Kapil Panday, provided an optimistic update, sharing that Kuldeep would begin bowling this week. Panday explained that the spinner had felt some pain even during the Bengaluru Test, leading to the decision to halt further play. After successful surgery and subsequent rehab, Kuldeep is reportedly on track. Panday remains confident that Kuldeep can make a return soon, depending on how his leg feels and his comfort with his run-up.
If all goes well in his rehab and bowling drills, Kuldeep could be available for the England series or even the Champions Trophy, but his recovery will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
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