India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule hailed Kuldeep Yadav as a player every team would want in their playing XI ahead of the second game against the West Indies on Wednesday. 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.
Bahutule said in a pre-match press conference, “He is a player every team would want because he is always lively, both on and off the field. At the same time, his unique skills help us perform in different conditions. Being a wrist-spinner, he definitely adds value to the team. Kuldeep has always been a match-winner for India. He has performed exceedingly well, and his numbers also show that.
“He works extremely hard at his game. There are certain aspects where he feels he needs to improve, so he goes into the nets and works on them. At the same time, there are aspects he is very confident about because he has been a part of this team for years. He also recently had a county stint, where he bowled a lot of overs, so he comes into a series well prepared,” the former India leg-spinner went on to add.
On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja returned with figures of 0-54 in his 10 overs in the opening game. Bahutule said Jadeja has always been a utility player for the team.
“For me, Jadeja has always been a utility player. He is somebody who can contribute with the bat as well as with the ball. He has definitely improved as a bowler over the last six months. I thought he bowled really well in the Test matches in Sri Lanka.
“Now, in the ODIs, it is just his first game after a long period, but he has done well. With Axar [Patel] also being around, as the tournaments and series progress, we will be able to assess whose performances and abilities can be of greater utility. But Jadeja, with his batting skills and experience, is definitely doing well. I am sure he will be looked at in the coming time.”
The second ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.
