Indian batter Hanuma Vihari questioned why Kuldeep Yadav is not given consistent chances across all formats by the team management and selectors amid the ODI series against the West Indies. Yadav has been in and out of the team on a regular basis, thus creating doubts on his selection.
However, Kuldeep returned with impressive figures of 4-40 in his quota of 10 overs and was the pick of the Indian bowlers in the opening ODI against the West Indies on Sunday. He accounted for John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope and Jewel Andrew to put the visitors under the pump.
The visitors were looking all set to post 350 runs on the board but Kuldeep was able to turn a corner. Thus, Yadav was awarded Player of the Match after India registered an eight-wicket win.
“The way the West Indies started, I thought 350-360 was possible. The man who made the difference was Kuldeep Yadav. He is a match-winner and he showed it again. When the bowling was struggling, he was the trump card. He took four wickets. Not just the tail ender wickets. He broke the opening start. He took 2 wickets in 2 balls. I don’t understand why he’s not given consistent chances,” Hanuma Vihari said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Vihari said Yadav could have shared the Player of the Match award with Virat Kohli, who scored a stunning knock of 139 runs off just 88 balls in the run-chase of 296.
“Kuldeep got the player of the match. I am happy for him but at the same time a little disappointed. He could have shared the player of the match. I know it doesn’t matter for Virat Kohli. Kuldeep said it was awkward with the way Kohli batted. Would have been nice if it was shared. But it is also heartening to see actually because it is always a batter’s game,” he said.
The second ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.
