Kuldeep Yadav has been included in the Uttar Pradesh squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, marking his return to competitive cricket. This match is set to commence on Thursday, following Kuldeep's recovery from hernia surgery performed in October. His last appearance in a competitive setting was during the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Additionally, he has been selected for the Indian team for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against England, as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Previously, Kuldeep expressed his gratitude towards the staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for their support during his recovery process. He stated, “Recovery takes a team. Grateful to the NCA and its team for all the work behind the scenes!” The 30-year-old spinner underwent surgery in Germany after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced his unavailability for India's five-match Test series in Australia. Consequently, he missed a significant portion of India's challenging 2024/25 Test season, during which the team suffered a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand at home and a 3-1 loss to Australia, resulting in their absence from the World Test Championship final for the first time.

Valuable game time in dead rubber for Kuldeep

The encounter between UP and MP is essentially inconsequential, as both teams have been eliminated from contention for the knockout stages. However, it presents Kuldeep with a valuable opportunity to gain match experience in preparation for significant international commitments. His participation coincides with several regular members of the Indian team competing in the Ranji Trophy. Notable international players, including Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, will join Kuldeep in this round, representing their respective teams.

In recent months, Kuldeep has played a crucial role in India's white-ball campaigns, serving as the primary spinner during the journey to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. He also made a significant contribution to India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking the end of the ICC trophy drought. Indian supporters will be eager to see if they can once again depend on his abilities in the UAE, where the playing conditions may be favourable for him.

Read Also: Aadhaar Integration and Security: Virat Kohli's Impact on Ranji Pre-Match Regulations

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