New Delhi, Oct 12 (NationPress) Kuldeep Yadav showcased his exceptional skills in angles and drift on the third day of the second Test against the West Indies. The left-arm wrist spinner flipped the match dynamics with his remarkable fifth five-wicket haul, bowling out the visitors for 248 and granting India a substantial 270-run lead.

Despite notable performances from John Campbell and Shai Hope, Kuldeep's incredible display and his command over angles and variations stood out. After completing all 12 of his overs from the South End on Saturday, where he returned 1-46 at an economy of 3.8, Kuldeep shifted his focus to the North End on Sunday.

According to statistics from Cricket-21, this switch was advantageous; Kuldeep delivered a spell of unyielding control and finesse, claiming four wickets at a mere 1.8 runs per over. The change in ends seemed to alter his rhythm, allowing him to exploit sharper drift and more elusive dip, leveraging the slope to maintain constant stumps involvement.

Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach, emphasized Kuldeep's distinctive skill set and the strategic advantage he adds to the bowling lineup, alongside finger spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

“The distinction with Kuldeep is his status as a mystery spinner, making him challenging to read. I believe the batters are falling prey to him more. He possesses a dangerous element compared to finger spinners,” ten Doeschate mentioned to journalists post-day three at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

He elaborated that Kuldeep's effectiveness arises from the unfamiliarity opposition batters have with his bowling style and the minute margins that dictate success. “The margins are incredibly slim, as evident in how he secured wickets in the first innings. It's all about getting edges rather than taking all wickets. Many of these players haven’t faced much from Kuldeep, making him potentially more effective than the other two,” he stated.

Kuldeep’s performance not only dismantled the West Indies' resistance but also solidified his legacy. With his fifth five-wicket haul in just 27 Test innings, he now holds the record for the most five-fors by a left-arm wrist spinner in Test history.

He surpasses South Africa’s Paul Adams, who recorded four in 76 innings, and is well ahead of Chuck Fleetwood-Smith and Lakshan Sandakan, each with two five-fors.

Commenting on Kuldeep’s limited chances in the Test arena, especially after being sidelined during the England tour, ten Doeschate acknowledged the challenges in balancing team dynamics.

“It's quite a challenge. I think back to our discussions regarding team composition and how we strive to integrate everyone. In England, we did manage the wickets pretty well. It was a high-scoring series. Thus, we continuously aim to balance our lineup, especially with batting all-rounders when we have three bowlers who aren’t strong with the bat,” he reflected.

He noted that Kuldeep's display in New Delhi might necessitate a reassessment of future selections for overseas tours. “He’s demonstrated that even on a less responsive pitch, it raises questions about what we might consider in batting-friendly venues like Manchester or Headingley. These decisions are made in real-time, and we're always evaluating what’s best,” he added.

“Kuldeep has been exceptional and brilliant in white-ball formats. His performance certainly bodes well for future considerations. As we aim for Test victories, we must analyze how Kuldeep’s bowling evolves in the ensuing days.”

Kuldeep’s 5-82 in 26.5 overs propelled India to bowl out the West Indies for 248 and enforce a follow-on. However, ten Doeschate mentioned that a bit more luck could have altered the final session's outcome, particularly regarding Sundar’s performance.

“Nonetheless, we're not far from the top. Not to place blame on the umpires, but there were three very close decisions. Had we received even two correct calls, it would have appeared a much better day for us. Yet, Kuldeep consistently landed the ball in the right areas, spinning it in both directions.”

In a format where left-arm wrist spin remains a rare skill, Kuldeep's ascension is both inspiring and stylistically refreshing for a bowler redefining the potential of his craft in red-ball cricket.