Hailed by Michael Clarke as the world's best all-format spinner, Kuldeep Yadav has once again sent a message to the team management with a match-winning performance
Kuldeep Yadav once again showed on Sunday just how dangerous he can be when given a consistent run in the Indian team. His match-winning spell against the West Indies in the first ODI has once again raised a familiar question: why does India continue to hesitate over giving one of its biggest match-winners a regular place in the XI?
XtraTime Web Desk
Kuldeep Yadav once again showed on Sunday just how dangerous he can be when given a consistent run in the Indian team. His match-winning spell against the West Indies in the first ODI has once again raised a familiar question: why does India continue to hesitate over giving one of its biggest match-winners a regular place in the XI?
The West Indies were batting brilliantly and appeared to be cruising towards a total of 350. But Kuldeep had other plans. With his brilliant wrist-spin, he turned the game around and restricted the Caribbean side to 295 for seven. He finished with outstanding figures of 4/40 from his 10 overs.
At one stage, Kuldeep came agonisingly close to a hat-trick after picking up two wickets in successive deliveries. His spell completely changed the momentum of the match.
Yet the question remains: will he now get a consistent run?
Ironically, Kuldeep has often found himself out of the XI in the name of maintaining the team's balance. The argument has sometimes been that India needs bowlers who can also contribute with the bat. But does that justify leaving out a proven match-winner like Kuldeep?
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has strongly backed the Indian spinner, saying, “At the moment, Kuldeep Yadav is the best all-format spinner in the world. But he is not getting enough opportunities.”
Kuldeep's performances in county cricket have also earned praise. Yorkshire coach Anthony McGrath lauded his spin, control and ability to set up batters, even suggesting the county would “bite his hand off” to sign him again.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also warned that repeatedly dropping a bowler can affect his rhythm and confidence. Mohammad Kaif, meanwhile, has called for Kuldeep to be given a consistent run and backed by the team management.
Kuldeep himself still cannot be certain of his place in the XI. He may well feature in the remaining ODIs against the West Indies after Sunday's performance.
But if India has ambitions of winning the World Cup, should it risk undermining the confidence of a proven match-winner? Sunday's performance has once again made that question impossible to ignore.
