The ODI series between India and West Indies is going to start on February 6, in Ahmedabad. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been selected in the Indian ODI team for the series. Kuldeep last represented India in the ODI format against Sri Lanka in 2021 at the R Premadasa Stadium on July 20. Kuldeep did not get a chance in the recent ODI series against South Africa as well.
Indian team under the leadership of KL Rahul had to concede a humiliating 3-0 defeat in the recently concluded ODI series.
In a situation like this, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has given a big statement regarding Kuldeep's selection in the Indian team. Butt also felt that Indian all-rounders “were not effective” in South Africa.
Butt's words
Former Pakistan batsman Butt felt that Kuldep’s selection “is a good move” and the Indian team looked “short on wicket-taking pitches in South Africa.”
“Kuldeep Yadav’s comeback in the Indian ODI squad is a good move. India were short on wicket-taking options in South Africa. Their all-rounders were not effective and they did not look like taking wickets. Shardul Thakur seemed to lack pace, maybe he is tired having played a lot of Test cricket as well. Even otherwise, he doesn’t have the pace to trouble batters unless he gets help from the pitch,” Butt said on his official YouTube channel.
Need to take wickets
While talking about India’s bowling attack, Butt said that “someone has realized that India need to take wickets if they want to win one-dayers.”
“Kuldeep is a very good option. With Washington Sundar as off-spinner and Ravi Bishnoi as leggie, the spin pool looks quite strong. (Yuzvendra) Chahal is also there. India have inducted quite a few wicket-taking spinners. Someone has realised that India need to take wickets if they want to win one-dayers,” the 37-year-old former left-handed cricketer said.
India and West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs against each other in Ahmedabad. After that the two teams will be involved in a three-match T20I series, scheduled to be played in Kolkata. The T20I series will start on February 16.
