Kuldeep Yadav Masterclass Stuns England in ODI Series

JYNEWS, Kuldeep Yadav : The 2025 India vs England ODI series has exploded into a spectacle of spin wizardry, with Kuldeep Yadav scripting a dramatic turnaround for the Men in Blue. On a turning track at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium, Kuldeep’s 3/47 dismantled England’s batting lineup, restricting them to 248 and setting up India’s chase. But this isn’t just about stats—it’s a story of redemption, tactical brilliance, and a World Cup-bound team finding its rhythm. Here’s how Kuldeep Yadav became the architect of England’s collapse and why Rohit Sharma’s gamble paid off.

Live Scorecard: England Collapse to 248 as Kuldeep Yadav Unleashes Chaos

England: 248 all out (47.4 overs)

• Top Scorers: Jos Buttler (52), Phil Salt (43), Ben Duckett (32)
• Wickets: Kuldeep Yadav 3/47, Harshit Rana 2/41, Ravindra Jadeja 1/28

India (Chase): 144/5 (25 overs)

• Batting: Shreyas Iyer 54* (49), Shubman Gill 28 (33)
• Bowling: Jofra Archer 2/33, Adil Rashid 1/42

Kuldeep Yadav’s Redemption Arc: From Injury to Match-Winner

Kuldeep Yadav’s journey to this series has been anything but smooth. After missing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a chronic groin injury, the 30-year-old wrist-spinner spent months rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy. His return wasn’t just a comeback—it was a statement.The Spell That Broke England

• 9th Over: Kuldeep traps Joe Root (3) LBW with a skidding googly.
• 12th Over: Ben Stokes (14) misreads flight, stumped by KL Rahul.
• 35th Over: Cleans up Brydon Carse (17) with a ripping leg-break.

Kuldeep’s figures (10-0-47-3) don’t fully capture his impact. His ability to vary pace and exploit the Nagpur pitch’s variable bounce left England’s middle order clueless. This performance marked his 297th international wicket, edging him closer to the elusive 300-wicket milestone.

Rohit Sharma’s Tactical Masterstroke

India’s captain Rohit Sharma faced scrutiny after a dismal Test series in Australia, but his ODI leadership has been sharp. Key decisions:

• Backing Kuldeep: Dropping Ravi Bishnoi for Kuldeep despite the latter’s recent injury.
• Handing Debuts: Trusting Yashasvi Jaiswal (opener) and Harshit Rana (pacer) in high-pressure scenarios.
• Field Placements: Positioning Shreyas Iyer at short mid-wicket to dismiss Phil Salt (43) via a direct hit.

Rohit’s aggressive captaincy kept England on the back foot, though his own form remains a concern (dismissed for 12 by Jofra Archer).

England’s Batting Woes: Too Reliant on Buttler

Jos Buttler’s gritty 52 was the lone bright spot in England’s innings. Key failures:

• Harry Brook: Fell to Rana’s pace for 9, continuing his poor run in ODIs.
• Liam Livingstone: Chipped a simple catch to Axar Patel off Jadeja.
• Tail-End Collapse: Last 4 wickets fell for 36 runs.

England’s 248 was 30 runs short on a track where spin dominated.

India’s Chase: Iyer Steadies the Ship

India’s top order wobbled early:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: Out for 7 in his ODI debut, trapped LBW by Jofra Archer.
• Rohit Sharma: Edged Archer to slip, departing for 12.
• Virat Kohli’s Absence: A knee injury sidelined the star batter, putting pressure on Shreyas Iyer.

Iyer’s unbeaten 54* (49 balls, 6 fours) anchored the chase, supported by Shubman Gill’s patient 28. At 144/5, India need 105 runs in 25 overs with Hardik Pandya (12*) at the crease.

Where to Watch India vs England ODI Series

• India: Star Sports Network (TV), Disney+ Hotstar (streaming)
• UK: Sky Sports Cricket
• USA: Willow TV
• Australia: 7Plus

Free Live Updates: Follow ball-by-ball commentary on ESPNcricinfo or BCCI’s official website.

The Bigger Picture: Champions Trophy Preparation

This series is India’s final rehearsal before the Champions Trophy in Pakistan/UAE (Feb 19–Mar 9). Key takeaways:

• Spin Dominance: Kuldeep, Jadeja, and Axar Patel form the world’s best spin trio.
• Batting Depth: Iyer and Gill’s form crucial if Kohli misses games.
• Pace Concerns: Shami’s 1/58 highlighted rust; Bumrah’s return (likely for 3rd ODI) is critical.

Verdict: India’s Spin King Reigns Supreme

Kuldeep Yadav’s resurgence isn’t just a subplot—it’s the defining narrative of this series. His ability to outthink batters with flight, dip, and turn makes him indispensable for India’s Champions Trophy ambitions. England, meanwhile, must solve their middle-order frailty before the next game.

Kuldeep Yadav Q&A: Burning Questions Answered

Q: Why was Kuldeep Yadav dropped earlier?
A: A groin injury kept him out since October 2024. He underwent rehab at NCA before this series.

Q: How does Kuldeep compare to other Indian spinners?
A: His 172 ODI wickets @ 29.49 are second only to Yuzvendra Chahal (199) among active spinners.

Q: Can he be India’s X-factor in the Champions Trophy?
A: Absolutely. His 6/25 vs England in 2018 and 4/22 in Ranchi Tests prove his big-match pedigree.

Q: What’s next for Kuldeep?
A: Needs 3 wickets to reach 300 international scalps. The 2nd ODI in Cuttack (Feb 9) is his next chance.