As India prepare for a gruelling five-Test series against England, the focus is on their team combination. With injuries to fast bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and keeper Wriddhiman Saha, along with the poor form of batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara, the Indian team has a lot on its plate.

Adding to the workload of the team management is the emergence of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav as a late favourite for a spot in the playing XI in the Test team after his superb bowling efforts in the T20s and ODIs against the Englishmen.

Kuldeep, 23, is now being seen as having as good a chance as established veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja of playing the first Test.

However, former Australia batsman Mike Hussey said Ashwin remains India’s No1 Test spinner.

“Kuldeep is a fantastic bowler and has done well. Personally, I don’t think Kuldeep should play at the expense of Ashwin. I think Ashwin deserves his place in the team as he has been a brilliant Test match bowler for a long period of time,” Hussey was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

“He has over 300 Test wickets plus England have many left-handers and Ashwin can play a big role. There is still plenty of time for Kuldeep as he is young. Let him keep learning along the way but if there is an injury or an opportunity, then I am sure he will do a good job for India.”