Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik reckons Kuldeep Yadav could have done more with his run-up and release in the fourth ODI against New Zealand. Yadav returned with figures of 0-73 in the eight overs he bowled and proved costly after he was added to the playing XI.
The wrist spinner got his first match of the tour after he was not backed in the T20I series and could not get a game in the first two matches.
Yadav was not up to the mark and he was taken to the cleaners by New Zealand batters, especially Will Young, who played the sweep shot with aplomb against the spinner.
Dinesh Kartik said on Cricbuzz, “In terms of run-up and release, I felt there was more he could have done. But playing an international game is so much harder than just working on your skills in practice. It’s not easy to get out of not being part of the 11 and immediately perform to a high level. He didn’t have his best day, but I wouldn’t dig too deep into today’s performance.”
“I feel bad for Kuldeep. He has been part of the team for some time now. On a tour like this, when you’ve not played, and suddenly play an ODI game, it could be hard work. I don’t think he bowled very poorly. A couple of small moments went against him. He probably needed a wicket very early in his spell to feel good about himself, which he didn’t manage today. He tried his best, but the opportunities weren’t created as much.”
On the other hand, former Indian spinner Murali Kartik said this is not the Kuldeep Yadav, that India would want to see.
“Today, I didn’t see the Kuldeep Yadav that I normally get to see. He was bowling quicker, and there were too many back-of-the-length deliveries. That’s not the Kuldeep you want to see, and that stems from the fact that he’s not getting to play regularly. He’s trying too many things in his own head and wants to get wickets quickly. That way, he can stay in the spell, and the captain doesn’t take the ball away from him,” said Kartik (via the aforementioned source).
New Zealand posted 333 runs on the board, whereas India are reeling at 87-9.
