'Ashwin put his hand and said...': Kuldeep reveals chat with spin legend as he prepares to fill the big boots in England

Kuldeep Yadav will lead the spin-attack of India in the tour of England. (Photo: BCCI)

Indian cricket, notably in the Test format, suffered greatly as a result of Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement from international cricket, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His departure sparked conversations about the team's philosophy and how to identify a suitable replacement. Ashwin's departure raised questions about Indian spin bowling's future.

The off-spinner took 765 wickets in all international game formats, capping an incredible career. Ashwin concluded his career with 3503 runs, including six hundreds, and 537 Test wickets. After Muttiah Muralitharan, he has the second-most fifers in Test matches. In men's Test matches, Ashwin also holds the record for the most Player of the Series honors (11).

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Kuldeep Yadav is regarded as a possible replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian Test team. Kuldeep's success and experience in white-ball cricket, along with his impressive Test record, make him a serious candidate for Ashwin's place. Since Ashwin retired, Kuldeep and other spinners like Washington Sundar and Axar Patel have had a chance to make their mark.

Speaking to an Indian Express panel, Kuldeep recalled how Ashwin believed Kuldeep would lead India’s spin attack.

On being asked about retirements of Ashwin (during BGT) and then Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, just ahead of the England tour, Kuldeep said, “I had an inkling that Ash bhai might retire due to his body. We used to have a lot of chats and once I remember, he put his hand on me and said, ‘You will have to take responsibility in the future. You have to manage’. I used to feel a bit concerned that he doesn’t leave and go. I was shocked when Rohit bhai and Virat bhai retired. You want your senior players to stay for big series such as this.”

Ahead of the Champions Trophy campaign that India won, Ashwin had praised Kuldeep for his form and impact, saying, "Kuldeep is the future spinner that has done really well and he is the one that can hold team in very good state. I don't think there is any debate. I would be really surprised if something like that happens, but I would not throw it out of the window."