Michael Clarke, a former captain of Australia, has firmly supported Kuldeep Yadav, describing the left-arm wrist-spinner as the world’s greatest all-format spinner at the moment. However, he expressed concern over the bowler’s lack of consistent opportunities from India’s selection.
Michael Clarke has backed Kuldeep Yadav strongly
Clarke’s comments come amid Kuldeep’s consistent non-selection in a variety of formats. After the first Test in Galle did not go as planned, India’s selectors removed him off the Test XI during the Sri Lanka series. He was left off of the T20I squad for both the September 2026 Asian Games and the Afghanistan series at the same time. Few spinners participate in all three formats. I believe that Kuldeep Yadav is currently the world’s top all-format spinner. He’s an excellent short-form bowler. However, he doesn’t have enough opportunity. On the Beyond23 Podcast, Clarke stated, “I believe he will play for India against Australia.
Why is Kuldeep Yadav not included in the Indian squads?
Kuldeep’s exclusion from India’s teams is not a recent occurrence. He was a member of the traveling team during India’s five-Test tour of England, but he was never included in the starting lineup in any of the games, which obviously affected him. Kuldeep had previously talked about how frustrating it was to be present yet not play, particularly during the England visit.
Unfortunately or luckily, there are situations when you simply have to follow the team combination or strategy. When you’re not playing or in the starting lineup, you undoubtedly feel horrible about yourself. You want to play because you want to be a part of the team, but occasionally the management’s opinions prevent you from doing so. I was hoping to play in a few games last year, but it’s all right. “Maybe next time,” Kuldeep stated in a TalkSport interview.
Clarke’s public support is even the more noteworthy because the pattern of non-selection has maintained despite Kuldeep’s ongoing success in competitive cricket outside of the national system.
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Kuldeep’s historic performance for Yorkshire in the County Championship Division One provided a convincing response to his detractors. During the September 8–10, 2026, encounter at Headingley versus Essex, he finished with match figures of 10 for 120 after claiming 4 for 70 in the first innings and posting career-best numbers of 6 for 50 in the second.
Clarke’s claim on his credentials across formats is strengthened by the fact that it was his first-ever first-class 10-wicket match haul and that it occurred outside of the subcontinent. In just three days, Yorkshire defeated Essex by an innings and 106 runs, thanks in large part to Kuldeep’s bowling.
