India’s wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik was not surprised to see Kuldeep Yadav bat well in the first innings of the fourth Test match against England at Ranchi. Yadav joined forces with wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel with India under the cosh at 177-7 in the last session of the second day.
Jurel and Kuldeep took India to 219-7 at the end of the second day. The duo added more crucial runs on the third day’s morning and ended up adding 76 runs for the eighth wicket alliance to help India stay in the contest.
While Jurel scored a magnificent knock of 90 runs, Kuldeep gave him great support, scoring 28 runs from 131 balls. Kuldeep showed great defensive skills and also had all the patience under his belt.
“I am not surprised at all. I say that only because he has always been someone who can defend the ball. Six-hitting is not his strength. He is someone who can defend well. You can see, he took 131 balls to make 28,” Dinesh Karthik, who led Kuldeep at Kolkata Knight Riders, told Cricbuzz.
“Very different to what Bazball does, but very effective in this partnership. More than the runs, they played timed and frustrated England. England bowlers had to work really hard to get Kuldeep out. It’s great to see,” he added.
Not only did Kuldeep deliver with the bat, he also did a fine job with the ball, returning with impressive figures of 4-22. The left-arm spinner removed Zak Crawley, who top-scored for England with 60. Furthermore, he accounted for Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, and England captain Ben Stokes.
Karthik further lauded Yadav’s batting skills as he showed great defensive skills in Ranchi when it mattered the most.
“In domestic cricket, he has got a hundred and it doesn’t come easy. He has batting skills, he showed that when he went as a nightwatchman in Rajkot. They couldn’t get him out easily. Again in this Test when he got the opportunity, he has shown that, he is able to bat,” Karthik said.
“Generally, the XI for some time has been two left-arm spinners where they play Jadeja and Axar. Axar is a proper batter, who can offer a lot at No. 9. But it’s good to see Kuldeep.. we know what he can do with the ball. He can definitely bowl with more variety and if he can contribute with the bat like this, it’s a very healthy trend and a happy situation for Team India to be in.”
India needs 74 more runs to win with seven wickets in hand.
