Legendary Anil Kumble showered praise on Kuldeep Yadav after the wrist spinner bagged a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the second Test match against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Yadav returned with impressive figures of 5-82 in 26.5 overs he bowled in the first essay.
The leg-spinner accounted for Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Justin Greaves, and Jayden Seales. Yadav was right on the money and reaped rewards for his accuracy. On the third day morning, Yadav bagged three wickets in the opening session as he was the wrecker-in-chief.
This was Yadav’s fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket as he continued his rich form. Kumble highlighted that it is not easy to maintain consistency if a player doesn’t play continuously but Yadav has been able to deliver the goods.
Anil Kumble said on JioHotstar, “Absolutely brilliant! I’ve always been a great admirer of Kuldeep Yadav, and despite limited opportunities, he consistently showcases his match-winning abilities. It’s not easy to maintain rhythm and confidence without regular play, but Kuldeep seized this chance perfectly in the first innings. He played a pivotal role in dismantling the West Indies batting line-up, demonstrating control and composure.”
“I expect him to be central again when India returns to bowl tomorrow and aims to claim the remaining wickets. Kuldeep’s outstanding performances have been evident across formats whenever given the opportunity, whether with the red or white ball,” he added.
Meanwhile, the West Indies ended the day’s play at 173-2, trailing India by 97 runs after the visitors were asked to follow on by Shubman Gill. Kumble hailed the tourists’ batters for showing the required application.
“The partnership combined caution with aggression and showcased the true flair of West Indies cricket. The conditions suited their style more, with slower pitches allowing sufficient time to adjust shots against the spinners. The application was strong, fuelled by the belief instilled from the lower order’s performance in the first innings by Phillip and Pierre. The message from the lower order to play straight and apply themselves evidently resonated.”
At lunch on day four, West Indies were 252-3.
