(AFP Photo)
As India prepares for their upcoming semi-final against England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana this Thursday, Piyush Chawla has indicated that Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, could significantly influence India’s performance during the middle phase of the match.
During the ‘Caught and Bowled’ show on Disney+ Hotstar, the former Indian spinner expressed admiration for Kuldeep Yadav, praising his resurgence following a period of lesser form.
“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.
Chawla also highlighted Kuldeep’s track record against England, noting significant achievements. Kuldeep claimed a five-wicket haul against the defending champions in Manchester in 2018. Additionally, he secured a six-wicket haul during an ODI against England in Nottingham on the same tour.
“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.
From England’s perspective, Chawla has highlighted their premier leg-spinner, Adil Rashid, as a pivotal player in influencing the game during the middle overs. Reflecting on their clash in the 2022 semi-finals, Rashid’s dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav played a crucial role in England’s decisive 10-wicket victory.
Chawla believes Rashid, who has already secured nine wickets in the current tournament with his precise pace control and varied deliveries, will play a critical role for England. He anticipates Rashid to apply pressure on India during the eagerly awaited semi-final encounter by effectively controlling the middle phase of the match.
“Adil Rashid has been a crucial component for England in the middle overs. Rashid’s variations, including his googly and subtle changes in pace, makes 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 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.
