Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said Kuldeep Yadav’s performance in the first ODI against the West Indies proved why the wrist spinner should consistently play for the team. The visitors were looking all set to post 350 runs on the board but Kuldeep was able to turn a corner.
The left-arm spinner returned with impressive figures of 4-40 in his quota of 10 overs and was the pick of the Indian bowlers. He accounted for John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope and Jewel Andrew to put the visitors under the pump.
Yadav had look out of rhythm in the first Test match against Sri Lanka but had a better bowling impetus after a successful County stint with Yorkshire.
Greaves and Campbell added 135 runs for the opening alliance for the tourists but Kuldeep was able to put in the brakes in the middle overs.
Aakash Chopra said on Cricinfo, “It was a reminder and also a validation that you need to play Kuldeep Yadav. This game could have gone in a very different direction because they [West Indies] were 135 without loss. These were good batting conditions. You needed a piece of magic. You needed somebody who could create something out of nothing and that can only happen if you have the skills and only wrist spinners can do something of that nature.”
The former Delhi cricketer highlighted that India hasn’t been too kind to Kuldeep Yadav as the team management is backing all-rounders ahead of him to add more batting depth.
“India hasn’t been too kind to Kuldeep Yadav. He is the first man to be left out whenever we see a change. In fact, God knows, if Harshit [Rana] was available, if this was a full-strength India side with Axar [Patel] in the mix, Kuldeep may have still warmed the bench. But him playing, picking up four wickets was just a reminder that not just in this game, think about 2027, think about the middle overs. Do not drop him. He, in my opinion, is indispensable to India’s chances as regards to the World Cup.”
The second ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.
