With India gearing up for the high-pressure five-Test series against England, everyone is looking at left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who is being hailed by experts and former selectors as the game-changer of the visitors. With team selection coming in for close examination, Kuldeep's unique skill set has placed him at the forefront of strategic discussion.
Kuldeep's record with the red ball speaks for itself: when bowling in Tests at a rate of a fraction over 37 balls per wicket, he's one of the most attacking spinners India has. This ability to break partnerships and take momentum in the middle overs could prove to be the difference in English conditions, where the control of the rhythm of the game is often the difference between winning and losing.
What distinguishes Kuldeep is the element of mystery and unpredictability that he brings as a wrist-spinner-catching abilities that can be difference-making on English pitches, particularly when they fail to provide sharp turn. Experts observe that, unlike traditional finger spinners, Kuldeep can take wickets off his variations and drift, even on unresponsive surfaces. With England's grounds like The Oval, Birmingham, and Old Trafford likely to help spin-especially if the weather becomes hot and dry-Kuldeep's bowling style is considered a perfect fit.
The amount of cricket on these surfaces will likely drain the pitches, so spin could be introduced into matches earlier. Kuldeep's unorthodox style, as opposed to relying on bounce, is exactly designed to take advantage of such surfaces. With Ravichandran Ashwin retiring from international Test cricket abroad and Ravindra Jadeja playing a defensive role frequently on foreign soil, India's spin bowling does not have a strike option-something Kuldeep can offer. Ex-selectors believe that all-rounders like Washington Sundar provide solidity, but Kuldeep can win a match with the ball, particularly on foreign soil.
Given the selectors' choice of completing the team after the IPL, pressure to include Kuldeep is mounting. In a series where capturing 20 wickets will prove crucial, Kuldeep Yadav's established wicket-taking quality can be that X-factor to tip the scales in India's favour.
Source: Business Standard
