England great in Kuldeep's corner ahead of second India Test

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav is hoping advice from England great Kevin Pietersen will hold him in good stead should he win a recall for the second ICC World Test Championship contest between the two sides at Edgbaston.

Kuldeep hasn't featured at Test level for India since the ill-fated series against New Zealand at home in October last year and hasn't played a red-ball contest outside of Asia for more than six years.

But with No.1 ranked Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah a chance to be rested for the Birmingham contest due to his ongoing back issue, there have been calls for India to turn to Kuldeep to try and quell England's strong batting line-up and stay in contention in the crucial five-game series.

Kuldeep revealed he spoke in depth with Pietersen at the Delhi Capitals during this year's Indian Premier League event and believes he can come into India's XI and make an immediate impact should he win a Test recall.

“Kevin Petersen was part of our team at DC (Delhi Capitals)," Kuldeep told The Indian Express.

"He gave me a lot of inputs for the England tour. He told me about fielding positions, pitches and the batters. We ran through their (England's) batting line-up. He told me about the mindset needed in England.

“Pietersen said that generally spinners come to England with a defensive mindset. They think that in England, fast bowlers will get wickets and they will be in a supporting role. He told me to take the field with an attacking mindset. If I get a game and bowl 15 to 20 overs, I have to always think about how to get the batter out.”

Pietersen and Kuldeep alongside commentator Harsha Bhogle at the IPL // Sportzpics

Kuldeep's record at Test level is quite decent, with the left-armer having taken 56 wickets at an average of just 22.16 from 13 Test appearances for his country.

He is, however, more renowned for his exploits with the white-ball and the 30-year-old played a major role in helping India win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup last year and the ICC Champions Trophy event at the start of this year.

Kuldeep knows if he does win a recall for the second Test against England then his main job will be to take wickets.

“Apan ko kuch aata nahi hai bowling ke aalava (Bowling is the only thing I know)," Kuldeep added.

"If you don’t take wickets, you can’t justify yourself for playing in England. If you don’t take wickets, I don’t think you deserve to play.

"But I know one thing, wherever one is playing, at home or in England. I have to get the revs on the ball and the drift and that will get me wickets.”