Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have taken 10 wickets between them in the first two matches of the ongoing five-match One Day International (ODI) series between India and Australia.
Selectors made a big call by not including Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin for a series as big as this one. Ashwin and Jadeja have been India’s preferred spinning-duo in all forms of cricket in the last couple of years, but, considering the way these young spinners are bowling, things might change soon, as far as limited overs cricket is concerned.
Chahal and Kuldeep are two of the most exciting young cricketers in India. In the first two matches, the highlight of their partnership has been Kuldeep Yadav’s unforgettable hat-trick in the second ODI at Eden Gardens.
Former Indian batsman and one of the most entertaining Hindi commentator Virender Sehwag has made a big statement on the young duo. Viru said that with these two around, India did not feel the pinch of not having two experienced spinners i.e. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
“It is a nice thing that we do not feel the pinch of not having two experienced spinners on our side, because our newcomers are performing very well,” Sehwag told in an interview to India TV.
Talking about Kuldeep Sehwag said that he bowled brilliantly in that over but he needs to learn to bowl according to the plan.
“He must bowl according to his field placings, because in the second ODI, he gave away too many runs during his spell.”
When asked about Chahal, Sehwag said that his IPL experience of bowling on pitches like Bengaluru is helping him in better planning of his dismissals.
“Chahal has the advantage of bowling on wickets like Bengaluru during the IPL matches. Chahal plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore, which is captained by Virat Kohli,” he said.
“So whenever there is a crisis, Kohli hands over the ball to Chahal.”
Viru also spoke about the batting performance and said that the middle order has not performed well and they need to lift their game in the remaining ODIs. He specially mentioned Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav’s name and warned them
“The middle-order did not perform well in the first two ODIs, and captain Kohli needs to change the batting order. Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav should take advantage of the chances given to them, otherwise both have been flops till now,” he said.
He also compared the current Indian team with Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting’s Australian teams.
“Team India presently seems to be as strong as Steve Waugh’s or Ricky Ponting’s Australian teams. The present Australian team lacks strength. I am confident Team India will win the series 5-0,” Virender Sehwag added.
