Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has showered praise on Delhi Capitals (DC) spinner Kuldeep Yadav for his stellar Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) performances, while also throwing his support behind Rohit Sharma to lead India on their upcoming Test tour of England.
Clarke highlighted Kuldeep’s mental toughness, hailing his impact in the IPL. The Aussie drew parallels between Kuldeep and the late Shane Warne, stating that the former has matured beyond raw skill and is now using his smarts to outfox opponents.
"If you ask me to identify one player who has stood up this IPL, I will say it is Kuldeep Yadav. He always had the talent. But now what he has is the mental strength. That’s the difference. You can see he is out-thinking the batter. I was very close to Warnie [Shane Warne] and his biggest strength was how he could read the game perfectly. He could beat the batter mentally as well. That’s what I am starting to see in Kuldeep. He isn’t young anymore. He knows he has the ability and he is at his peak now, if you ask me. Delhi goes to him when the going is at its toughest, and each time, he delivers," Clarke said as quoted on Backstage with Boria.
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Looking ahead, Clarke pushed for Kuldeep’s inclusion in India’s Test squad for the upcoming England tour. He called the left-arm wrist-spinner an "X-factor," sharing that he can help India win the series in England alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami.
"I will go on and say India should pick him for the England tour and he could be India’s X-factor,” said Michael. “In Leeds, there will be movement and teams don’t always pick spinners. But all the other venues, on days 3, 4 and 5, there will be assistance and Kuldeep can be your X-factor. If [Mohammed] Shami is fit and if you get [Jasprit] Bumrah, all you need is Kuldeep to beat England in England."
Kuldeep last played a Test match in England in 2018. He has featured in only two overseas Tests, including one in England.
Talking about his IPL form, the 30-year-old has picked up five wickets in two matches for DC in the ongoing season at an economy of 5.25.
Michael Clarke Backs Rohit Sharma for England Test Series
After praising Kuldeep, Clarke shifted focus to Rohit, throwing his support behind the 37-year-old as India’s Test leader. There is an uncertainty on Rohit’s future in Test cricket and reports say he might not go to England.
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"I think Rohit still has the game. Class is permanent and you have seen that in the Champions Trophy final. He would be an ideal No. 5. He can face the second new ball if needed, and if there are early wickets, he can hold things up as well. But Rohit loves to open and can blunt the new ball as well. If I was an Indian selector, I’d pick Rohit for England as the captain and leader," Clarke concluded.
Meanwhile, Rohit is busy playing the IPL for Mumbai Indians (MI). He is struggling with the bat, having scored only 21 runs in three matches he has played so far.
Also read: IPL 2025 - WATCH! Rohit Sharma, Nita Ambani’s Post-Match Discussion Goes Viral After MI vs KKR
