Kolkata: India has been highly successful across all formats in recent times and one of the reasons for the same has been the rise of Kuldeep Yadav, the 22-year-old chinaman bowler from UP, who has made full use of the opportunities he has received so far and has performed consistently well for the national team. Without a shadow of a doubt, he can be touted as the India’s best spinner across all formats today.
The youngster came to the fore after a thunderous debut against Australia in the home Test series earlier this year and ever since then, he has made full use of the chances he has received. Although he didn’t make it to India’s squad for the Champions Trophy in June-July this year, the youngster made a strong statement and proved his mettle in limited overs’ cricket during the away series against the West Indies where he finished as the highest wicket-taker with eight wickets.
What’s even more spectacular is the fact that his wrist-spin magic did the job on pitches where ace spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja looked harmless.
Even in Test cricket, he hasn’t failed to deliver the goods. In the away series against Sri Lanka, Kuldeep was instrumental in India’s success as on many occasions, his variations were too hot to handle for the hosts. Even in the ongoing tour against Australia, the young Kuldeep, through his stellar performances has proved that he is here to stay in international cricket.
When Ashwin and Jadeja weren’t picked for the Australia series, many eyebrows were raised at this decision. But Yadav along with fellow wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, has proven the critics wrong with dominant performances that has even made former Indian opener Virender Sehwag say that the Indian team isn’t missing the services of the two ace spinners.
Even veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels along the same lines. A legendary figure in chinaman bowling, Australian Brad Hogg too at an event had opined that Kuldeep would be, ‘something special for Indian cricket’ in the coming days.
In just the next match, the 22-year-old pulled of a hat-trick that had the entire world stand in awe and applaud this promising talent. His feat was the third by an Indian in ODI’s and changed the complexion of the entire match, titling it towards India’s favour.
Kuldeep first shot into the limelight with good performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and hasn’t looked back ever since he got a chance to represent the country at the highest level.
Although he is yet to be tested on pitches in England, Australia and South Africa where there isn’t much turn, the promise that the young Kuldeep has shown so far speaks volumes of a brighter and bigger career ahead.