Kuldeep Yadav topped the charts with 12 wickets against West Indies — here’s why the left-arm spinner is indispensable in Tests.
Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant 5 for 82 in the first innings of the second Test against the West Indies at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi marked his fifth five-wicket haul in Test Cricket. In just 15 matches, the left-arm wrist spinner has already claimed 68 wickets at an average of under 22. His strike rate of 36.90 is the best among all spinners with a minimum of 50 Test wickets – a staggering testament to his effectiveness. Yet, despite such numbers, Kuldeep remains far from a guaranteed selection in India’s red-ball setup.
It’s remarkable that his 15 Tests have been spread over eight years since his debut. During this period, he has experienced the full spectrum of fortunes – from being hailed as India’s premier spinner by then head coach Ravi Shastri to being sidelined from the squad altogether.
Calls for his inclusion grew louder during India’s previous tour of England, with many experts arguing that his variations would have been invaluable in conditions like Headingley and Manchester. However, the team management showed little faith. Even in the ongoing home series, Kuldeep’s place was uncertain, as the selectors might easily have opted for Axar Patel’s batting depth. But on a lifeless Delhi track, the chinaman bowler once again showcased his craft, serving a timely reminder of the quality he brings to the table.
Read More: What makes Kuldeep Yadav more than a handful in middle overs of T20Is?
Kuldeep Yadav’s updated Test version on Delhi’s dead surface
The Kanpur-born spinner used his angles to great effect in the first innings, finding the ideal blend of line, length, and trajectory to constantly trouble the West Indian batters. That control stemmed largely from confidence – something Kuldeep seemed to have in abundance. His spell began with a slice of fortune when Alick Athanaze, attempting a slog-sweep off the very first ball of Kuldeep’s new spell, picked out the fielder at mid-wicket.
What stood out most in Kuldeep’s Delhi performance, though, was his consistency. Once he found his rhythm, he sustained it beautifully, striking in quick succession. Shai Hope initially looked untroubled – seeing out the final session of Day 2 and starting steadily the following morning. But Kuldeep’s persistence paid off. To save the possibility of inducing an inside edge, Hope tried to stretch forward across the line of the delivery. His front foot went straight down the line; he read and picked the spinner’s stock ball but couldn’t guess the degree of turn. The ball went on with the angle and beat the outside edge to crash into the off-stump.
Kuldeep followed up with another beauty in his next over. This time, he shortened the length slightly Tevin Imlach – another stock delivery, but a touch slower and straighter. It pitched perfectly, gripped and skidded low to sneak through the inside edge as Imlach’s attempted flick ended in failure.
He saved one of his most deceptive deliveries for Justin Greaves. Tossing up a leg-break invitingly, Kuldeep drew the batter into a reverse-sweep that missed the ball entirely. So convincing was the dismissal that Greaves didn’t even consider a review.
Read More: Shubman Gill’s batting has grown leaps & bounds after being appointed India skipper
Kuldeep Yadav succeeds in bigger challenge in second innings
With a commanding 270-run lead, India enforced the follow-on. But even for spinners, long spells can take their toll especially for someone like Kuldeep Yadav, who relies heavily on shoulder strength. Having bowled 26.5 of the 81.5 overs in the first innings fatigue was inevitable. The West Indian batters also appeared better prepared this time, using their feet and sweeping frequently to disrupt his rhythm and length.
The task grew tougher as John Campbell and Shai Hope settled in, stitching together a 100-run partnership for the third wicket. Kuldeep repeatedly beat both batters on the outside edge but found no luck. On a sluggish Delhi surface, that’s often the spinner’s biggest frustration – the ball turns, but there’s just enough time for batters to adjust and play late.
Still, once Kuldeep found a breakthrough, the familiar pattern resumed. Imlach was the first to fall, trapped in front after misjudging the bounce. The umpire’s finger went up instantly, much to the delight of the home crowd. In his very next over, West Indies captain Roston Chase perished while attempting a flick off a leg-break – the ball looped tamely mid-wicket.
Two deliveries later, the Uttar Pradesh spinner outfoxed Khary Pierre with sheer guile. He tossed one up invitingly above the batter’s eyeline, luring the Southpaw into a big sweep. But the sharp turn took the outside edge, and the ball flew straight to mid-off, another example of Kuldeep’s clever manipulation of flight and variation.
“It’s very difficult. I just cast my mind back to all the discussions around teams and how we tried to fit him in. But I think he’s done himself some favors, looking forward, if we do have to make the brave call where we want to win Test matches, maybe we do go a batter light and play Kuldeep, judged on how he’s bowled again in these two Tests.” India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, said at the press conference in Delhi.
It again showed what a treasure Kuldeep can be on a pitch without much help for spinners. After Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, captain Shubman Gill will need such spinners who could take the surface out of the equation. He would need those spinners, who are equally good against right and left-handed batters.
On slow and low surfaces like Delhi, when the edges don’t carry regularly, spinners need to bowl straight. That would bring bowled dismissals and LBWs more into the game. And Kuldeep’s ability to understand the situation and plan accordingly was priceless.
His Delhi performance should be enough for him to be in the eleven for the two Tests against South Africa at home. And unless he picks up a niggle, there shouldn’t be any doubt in playing him in Sri Lanka next year.
Read More: Has Dhruv Jurel cemented his spot as India’s second wicketkeeper-batter after Rishabh Pant?
