Kuldeep Yadav Set to Be India's Game-Changer in Champions Trophy: Suresh Raina
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Synopsis
Suresh Raina believes Kuldeep Yadav will be India's X-factor in the Champions Trophy middle overs. With key bowlers injured, Kuldeep's performance is crucial for India's success in Dubai.
Key Takeaways
- Kuldeep Yadav expected to be key in middle overs.
- India's recent success in overs 11-40 highlights effectiveness.
- Concerns over Bumrah and Shami increase pressure on Kuldeep.
- Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep will also play crucial roles.
- India prepares for a challenging Champions Trophy starting February 19.
New Delhi, Jan 19 (NationPress) Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina is confident that left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will serve as the team’s X-factor in the middle overs during the upcoming Champions Trophy matches in Dubai.
Since January 2023, India has secured 186 wickets during overs 11-40, which has typically been the segment where Kuldeep has perplexed batters. On Saturday, Kuldeep, who has been sidelined from competitive cricket since undergoing hernia surgery in November, was announced as part of India's squads for ODIs against England and the Champions Trophy.
With doubts surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s availability and Mohammed Shami returning from an Achilles injury, a significant burden will be on Kuldeep, who boasts 172 wickets in 106 ODIs, to work his magic in the middle overs during the three matches against England and the eight-team Champions Trophy commencing on February 19.
The positive news is that Kuldeep has been training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is progressing well towards achieving full match fitness. Raina, a member of India’s victorious 2013 Champions Trophy squad, also emphasized the role of Hardik Pandya’s seam bowling in the middle overs.
"From the perspective of the bowling lineup, Arshdeep will be crucial alongside Bumrah, who will be formidable during the death overs. However, Hardik Pandya will play a vital role here, particularly in conjunction with Kuldeep. Additionally, will Washington Sundar or Axar Patel take the field?"
"In my opinion, the initial bowling combination will be Arshdeep, Shami, Bumrah, Hardik, Kuldeep, and either Axar or Jadeja. This setup allows for bolstered batting, especially with the top five batters. Hardik can act as a floater, while Rishabh Pant possesses the capability to bat effectively.
"However, the key player in the middle who can apply pressure will be Kuldeep Yadav. We all recall how he bowled out Babar Azam and turned the match around. Currently, he is diligently training at the NCA, and he has the skill to confound batters with his unique action.
"We must commend Rohit Sharma for the support he has shown to Kuldeep Yadav. We had a mystery spinner in Varun Chakaravarthy during the T20 World Cup in Dubai back in 2021. Nevertheless, Kuldeep Yadav possesses an exceptional stillness, an unconventional action, and delivers in a distinctive manner. Therefore, I firmly believe that Kuldeep Yadav will be the X-factor in middle-overs bowling," Raina stated in response to an inquiry from IANS during the Star Sports press room show.
For the ODIs against England, scheduled to take place in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad on February 6, 9, and 12 respectively, seam-bowler Harshit Rana joins the Indian team as a backup for Bumrah, who will be unavailable for the first two matches of the bilateral series.
With lingering uncertainties surrounding Bumrah, who has been unable to bowl since back spasms restricted him during the second innings of the Sydney Test, Raina mentioned that Rana is a promising talent but suggested India would benefit more from including Mohammed Siraj in the squad should the fast-bowling spearhead remain unfit.
"Harshit Rana showcases impressive pace, effective bouncers, variations, yorkers, and speed, as evidenced by his performances in the Test matches he participated in Australia. He is young and introduces fresh elements to the team, while we observed the different pace and angles he utilized for KKR in the IPL. Both Rana and Arshdeep Singh can perform effectively during the death overs. Nevertheless, I still believe Siraj is a superior option if Bumrah is unfit," he commented.
India, the two-time Champions Trophy champions, will kick off their Group A campaign in Dubai against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, and concluding with a match against New Zealand on March 2.
