IND vs SA 2025: Ryan ten Doeschate Calls Kuldeep Yadav India’s X-Factor on Guwahati Surface
Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets on Day 1 in Guwahati as India end strong against South Africa in the second Test.
India trusted Kuldeep Yadav to deliver on a slow red soil pitch, and the left-arm wrist spinner did exactly that on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati.
Kuldeep was picked in the XI for his wicket-taking ability, and he backed that call by taking three key wickets. He removed Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder to finish with 3 for 48 from 17 tight overs.
His spell kept India in control for most of the day. He used overspin and clever changes in pace to build pressure on a surface that did not offer much help early on.
India spread the workload well. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja picked up a wicket each as South Africa ended at 247 for 6 in 81.5 overs.
Stubbs was the top scorer for the visitors. He looked solid throughout his stay but fell on 49, missing a half-century by a single run.
South Africa will aim to push towards 300 on Day 2, while India will hope the second new ball helps them wrap up the innings quickly.
What the camp said
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate praised the move to include Kuldeep and explained why the team believed he was right for this pitch.
“He picked up three wickets on that surface on day one. We know Kuldeep’s strike rate is phenomenal, he’s a wicket-taker and that’s why we’re picking him,” ten Doeschate said after stumps. He added that Kuldeep’s overspin and the red soil made him more effective than expected.
He also hinted that finger spinners might play a bigger role later in the match. “In terms of strategy and how we wanted to set out the first day, it’s a real bonus for him to pick up three wickets and give us a foothold in the game.”
