Spinner Kuldeep Yadav released from Test squad to play domestic T20 matches

Spinner Kuldeep Yadav has left the Indian Test squad to play three matches for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Mumbai after November 21. The BCCI announced on Saturday that Punjab fast bowler Gurnoor Brar will replace Kuldeep in the Test team for the two-match series against New Zealand starting November 19, 2026, in Wellington. Kuldeep was released because he played in only one of the ten white-ball matches on the current New Zealand tour, missing all five T20Is and the first three ODIs. Gurnoor Brar, who is 26 years old, has not played a Test match yet and will now miss the fifth ODI in Tauranga. In the recent fourth ODI at the same venue on Friday, India suffered a heavy 244-run defeat after being bowled out for 89 while chasing a target of 334. During that match, Gurnoor gave away 69 runs in 10 overs while Kuldeep conceded 73 runs in eight overs. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has joined the Test group in Wellington after the BCCI cleared him as fit to play. Other players like Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad will also join their state teams after returning from New Zealand, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami are already playing in the Mumbai leg for their respective domestic sides.

Context

Domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy give international cricketers crucial match practice when they are not part of the playing eleven for national series. Squad changes during long tours are common to manage player workloads and give bench players a chance in different formats.