NEW DELHI:
Piyush Chawla
, the seasoned Indian leg-spinner, is confident that
Kuldeep Yadav
, the left-arm wrist-spinner, is at the top of his game and poised to deliver a significant performance for the Indian team, captained by
Rohit Sharma
, in their
semifinal match
against
England
at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday evening. The encounter is part of the 2024 Men's
T20 World Cup
.
Kuldeep was absent from the Group A matches due to the fast-bowling conducive conditions in New York. However, he has made a strong comeback and emerged as India's pivotal bowler during the middle overs in the Super Eights games held in the Caribbean. He has claimed seven wickets at an impressive average of 10.71 and maintained a miserly economy rate of just 6.25.
Given the spin-friendly nature of the Guyana pitch, Kuldeep is expected to exhibit his versatility and spearhead India's bowling attack against England. He is likely to employ subtle variations in pace, utilize his arsenal of variations effectively, and make strategic use of the crease to outwit the English batsmen.
"Kuldeep Yadav's resurgence has been one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Indian cricket. His absence in the 2022 semi-final was a significant miss for India, but this time, he's in prime form and ready to make a substantial impact. Kuldeep's unorthodox left-arm wrist spin and the ability to extract turn and bounce, coupled with his deceptive variations, can be a game-changer in the middle overs," said Chawla on the 'Caught and Bold' show on Disney+ Hotstar, to IANS.
Kuldeep Yadav's impressive track record against England includes several significant performances. Notably, he delivered a six-wicket haul in the Nottingham ODI and a five-wicket performance in the Manchester T20I during the 2018 tour. More recently, he achieved a five-wicket haul in the final Test at Dharamshala, aiding India in securing a series win.
Chawla also highlighted Kuldeep's notable record against England captain
Jos Buttler
. He has dismissed Buttler three times in T20 matches.
In IPL 2024, Kuldeep managed to trap Buttler lbw on a reverse-sweep during the Delhi Capitals-Rajasthan Royals game in Jaipur. Additionally, in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup, Kuldeep bowled Buttler with a sharply turning delivery in the game at Lucknow.
"He also has a good record playing against England. In the upcoming semi-final, Kuldeep will be crucial in disrupting England's aggressive batting mantra. He will be India's trump card against England's explosive batting order. Given his current form and confidence, Kuldeep Yadav is poised to be a significant threat, making the middle overs a challenging period for England batsmen," added Chawla, a member of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team.
Leg-spinner
Adil Rashid
is expected to play a crucial role for England in the upcoming semi-final clash against India. In the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final against India, Rashid delivered an outstanding performance, taking 1-20 in his four overs, which included the vital wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. Rashid's efforts were instrumental in England's ten-wicket victory.
Rashid's current form sees him with nine wickets in the ongoing tournament, showcasing his effective control on pace and variations. Chawla believes Rashid will be key in controlling the middle overs and mounting pressure on the Indian team.
"Adil Rashid has been a crucial component for England in the middle overs. Rashid’s variations, including his googly and subtle changes in pace, make him a formidable threat on the West Indian pitches. In the upcoming semi-final against India, Rashid's role will be pivotal for England to win.
"If he can maintain his discipline and keep the pressure on, he could very well be the key for England in putting pressure on Indian batsmen. His knack for breaking partnerships is especially valuable in the middle overs, a phase where the game often shifts decisively. England will be counting on Rashid to deliver a spell that not only controls the run flow but also provides breakthroughs at crucial moments," he concluded.
English (US) ·