Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged Kuldeep Yadav to show some variety, especially against batsmen like Daryl Mitchell, who have put constant pressure on him. These comments came after Kuldeep was beaten by centurion Daryl Mitchell during the second ODI in Rajkot.
India lost the second match against New Zealand in Rajkot and the Indian spinners were criticized for their worst performance with the bat. Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja conceded a lot of runs, while the Kiwi spinners were very effective, especially in stopping the flow of runs.
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also pointed to the lack of bowling from Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand, which will be the series decider at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
“I want to see what trump card Kuldeep has?” -Ravichandran Ashwin
After his poor performances, especially against Kiwi batsman Daryl Mitchell, who has been in great form in the ongoing ODI series between the Men in Blue and the Blackcaps, spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been mentored by legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
He has said that against 80 percent of the batsmen, Kuldeep mostly sticks to his default bowling options, but sometimes changes become necessary. So, he asks Kuldeep Yadav about his Plan B and C.
“Daryl Mitchell knows he has (to counter attack on Kuldeep Yadav). I want to see what trump cards Kuldeep has? What changes can he make? Where are Plan B and C? Against 80 per cent of the batsmen in the world, Kuldeep is not having to change his game, but Daryl Mitchell is putting him under constant pressure.[tocounterattackKuldeepYadavIwanttoseewhattrumpcardKuldeephas?Whatchangescanhedo?WhereareplansBandC?Kuldeepisnothavingtochangehisgameagainst80percentofthebattersintheworldbutDarylMitchellisconsistentlyputtinghimunderpressure[tocounterattackKuldeepYadavIwanttoseewhattrumpcardKuldeephas?Whatchangescanhedo?WhereareplansBandC?Kuldeepisnothavingtochangehisgameagainst80percentofthebattersintheworldbutDarylMitchellisconsistentlyputtinghimunderpressure
“So, what is Plan B? What can Kuldeep put into Mitchell’s mind? Kuldeep will have to take the line wide, even if he wants to go full, or put him on the backfoot,” he said.
Ashwin praised Rahul’s brilliant century in Rajkot, saying, “KL Rahul is underrated and undersung.”
The 39-year-old also pointed to the great form and great patience shown by Indian wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul. Ashwin admitted that Rahul should be praised for performing well wherever he was sent to bat. He is also playing a flexible role in the team.
KL Rahul’s former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin said, “Obviously, the problem was, lost four wickets early, then he had a buildup. There was a slow partnership with Jadeja, but after that, in the end, he was playing aggressively. There is always talk about Rohit and Kohli, but we need to understand that KL Rahul was underrated and undersung.”
Ashwin responded to criticism on the selection of Ayush Badoni
India made a decision that surprised many: Ayush Badoni was included in the ODI squad as a replacement for Washington Sundar; However, the decision was sharply criticized by many veterans and media personalities, who claimed that it was a clear support to the Delhi players from Gambhir’s side.
However, Ashwin has cited the example of Harshit Rana, who is now playing a vital role for India with both bat and ball but was earlier criticized for being backed by Gautam Gambhir. Therefore, he has also asked to be patient on the issue of Ayush Badoni.
“So we should not decide things too early. These are all our players. Ayush Badoni has a lot of skill. He has performed to come here. You cannot say that he has come without performing,” he said.
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