Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons India can not go to the ODI World Cup in South Africa without the services of Kuldeep Yadav. 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. He accounted for John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope and Jewel Andrew to put the visitors under the pump.
Yadav had look out of rhythm in the first Test match against Sri Lanka but had a better bowling impetus after a successful County stint with Yorkshire.
Greaves and Campbell added 135 runs for the opening alliance for the tourists but Kuldeep was able to put in the brakes in the middle overs. Thus, Yadav was awarded Player of the Match for his fine performance. The wrist spinner has scalped 198 wickets in 122 ODI matches.
“Forget the four wickets. Many people are saying this is his comeback. It is nothing like that. He has almost 200 wickets. He has been a champion spinner and we cannot go to South Africa without him. He was a very good bowler, he is a very good bowler, and he will continue to be a very good bowler. I will not agree to anything otherwise. This West Indies batting lineup is no match for Kuldeep Yadav’s skill. But I am very happy that he went and played County cricket, picked wickets, and you can see the results again. Being Kuldeep is not easy, but the rhythm that he showed, I am very happy,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
Ashwin said Kuldeep Yadav has to be part of the playing XI in the ODI format for the Indian team.
“You cannot guarantee failure or success. But given the credentials that he has and the kind of bowler he is, Kuldeep has to play in the XI. Only he can enforce in the middle overs. He is showing all the right reasons for him to be your number one spinner. Even if Varun is fit, Kuldeep will be my first choice. If there is too much seam in South Africa, then you can change. But I do not see a reason why he should not be there,” he said.
The second ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.
