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Former India's star batter Mohammad Kaif highlighted the potential significance of ace wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for Men in Blue in the upcoming ODI World Cup and Asia Cup. Kaif, sharing his insights on Twitter, emphasised Kuldeep's capability, especially given the subcontinental playing conditions that the tournaments will be held in.
"Kuldeep Yadav will be Rohit's go-to man. One of the things I'm excited about at this Asia Cup and World Cup is to watch in form Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs. A wicket-taker with flight and turn against batsmen looking for runs is always a great contest," Kaif asserted.
Kuldeep Yadav's recent form has put the spotlight back on him, showcasing his cricketing prowess and resilience. Following a phase of professional setbacks, including his exclusion from the Indian side, Yadav has bounced back remarkably. His recent performance against the West Indies in a 3-match ODI series was nothing short of spectacular. Clinching 7 wickets, he played a pivotal role in India securing a 2-1 series victory. While his efforts were commendable in the subsequent T20I series, they couldn't lead India to a series win.
Reflecting on his journey and growth, Yadav acknowledged the hard yards he put in, especially focusing on strength and conditioning. This holistic training approach enabled him to bowl faster through the air, addressing earlier criticisms about his pace and predictability. Opponents once felt they could decipher his deliveries off the pitch, but Yadav's dedication to his craft has reshaped his game.
Uniquely, Yadav is the only wrist-spinner India has chosen for the Asia Cup, further underlining the trust and expectations vested in him. With India's inaugural game against arch-rivals Pakistan scheduled for September 2, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Kuldeep Yadav and his spinning magic.
India's Asia Cup 2023 Squad
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
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