Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on Kuldeep Yadav after he bowled a superb spell against Australia in their last Super 8 stage match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Monday, which India won by 24 runs.
India posted a par score of 205 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh. Rohit Sharma scored a fine knock of 92 runs off just 42 balls with the help of seven fours and eight sixes.
On the other hand, Kuldeep got the big wicket of Glenn Maxwell, who was looking dangerous. Yadav also accounted for Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh, who was going strongly after scoring 37. The wrist-spinner returned with impressive figures of 2-24 in his quota of four overs.
Meanwhile, earlier Kuldeep Yadav could not get a place in Kolkata Knight Riders’ playing XI in the IPL but he has turned the tables in the last couple of year.
“Kuldeep Yadav – there are many stories. Remember, he is the same player who cried in an IPL match. This is the same Kuldeep Yadav who sat on the bench for an entire year and was dropped in every format,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra noted that Kuldeep was at his best in the Test series against England and ODI World Cup 2023.
“However, if you see Kuldeep Yadav now, you can see the entire Test series against England, the performance in the entire ODI World Cup, and the last match or this one, he has been absolutely outstanding. He bowled four overs here and conceded only 24 runs and picked up two wickets, and who were the two victims – Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. What a player. The rise and rise of Kuldeep Yadav,” Chopra elaborated.
On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah bamboozled Travis Head, who was batting brilliantly on 76, with a slower ball. Bumrah registered figures of 1-29 in his quota of four overs. The renowned commentator lauded the duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.
“What a bowler Bumrah is. Just think about it, he did concede 15 runs in the first two overs, but he gave only 29 runs in four overs. Kuldeep Yadav gave only 24 runs in his four overs. What a bowling lineup – a bank of eight overs with at least four wickets. They got three in this match for sure,” he said in the same video.
Furthermore, Arshdeep Singh bagged three wickets as he accounted for David Warner, Tim David, and Matthew Wade.
“Arshdeep picked up wickets in the end. He is proving slightly expensive but it’s okay, he took wickets with the new and old ball. Axar picked up a wicket as well (apart from an amazing catch). He dismissed Marcus Stoinis, who is a dangerous batter,” Chopra elaborated.
India will face England in the semifinals at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Thursday.
