Paras Mhambrey, India bowling coach — for the ongoing limited-overs series in Sri Lanka — feels spinner Kuldeep Yadav will take a lot of confidence from his performance in the ongoing series and definitely stands a chance to make it to the T20 World Cup squad that is to be played in UAE in October-November.
Before India’s second T20I against Sri Lanka, the last time Kuldeep Yadav had bowled in a T20 game was in IPL 2020, a competition in which he played only five games out of a possible 14 for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He bowled 12 overs in those five games, for one wicket only. The last time he bowled for India in a T20I was back in January 2020 against Sri Lanka. He conceded at 9.50 runs per over.
Paras Mhambrey: Kuldeep Yadav Is Extremely Talented And A Very Thinking Bowler And Should Be Credited For Executing Plans Well
Kuldeep Yadav has an extremely impressive average of 13.83 in T20Is picking up 41 scalps in 22 matches.
“Kuldeep is extremely talented and he is a very thinking bowler. It all boils down to execution and the credit needs to be given to him. It has been challenging, he has been in and out of the team. He needs to work hard to maintain his position which he is doing, and I am happy to see that.
“I am sure he will take a lot of positives from this. The T20 World Cup is around the corner, it really increases his chances to be part of the squad,”Paras Mhambrey said in the virtual post-match press conference at the end of the second T20I on Wednesday.
With Krunal Pandya testing COVID-19 positive, seven players had to isolate as close contacts and that saw India handing debuts to the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal. Paras Mhambrey said the youngsters were told to play freely without any pressure.
“You are going to be nervous when you make your debut for your country, we know that. The discussion was always to give them a free hand, there was no pressure on them. We knew that in terms of batting, we only had 5-6 batters with whom we can plan for this game.
“There were no such instructions on how to play, they (Gaikwad and Padikkal) would be disappointed but as you say every opportunity they get to represent the country, they will learn,” Paras Mhambrey said.
Commenting on Navdeep Saini’s injury status,Paras Mhambrey said: “In Navdeep’s case, the medical team is handling him, we will assess his situation maybe tonight or tomorrow morning and take a decision accordingly.
“Once the decision is finalized and conveyed to the selectors and coach, and if needed, we will make changes. We have to assess and wait till the medical team informs us.”
Navdeep Saini did not bowl a single over in the game and was taken off the field in the penultimate over of the Sri Lanka innings when he injured his shoulder while fielding at extra cover.
India named 4 T20I debutants in Nitish Rana, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Chetan Sakariya for the 2nd T20I match. Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Krishnappa Gowtham, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Deepak Chahar were the close contacts of Krunal Pandya all of whom weren’t allowed to take the field.
Paras Mhambrey: Rahul Dravid Was In Touch With The BCCI Officials
While there was some doubt on whether the match and series will go ahead after Krunal Pandya’s positive test result, the bowling coach said head coach Rahul Dravid was in constant touch with the BCCI officials.
“Actually, Rahul Dravid was in constant touch with the BCCI officials. We were told that whatever decision will be taken, we will be informed. We were prepared that we might have to go ahead and play the game. We went in with our preparations, even if the game would not have been there, we would have continued with our preparations,” Paras Mhambrey said.
The bowling coach is also pleased with the pool of bowlers.
“Pretty happy with their performance, I have seen them in the last few years. Very pleased with the way they have progressed. I am happy in terms of the pool (seamers and spinners) we have. We have had some low-scoring and high-scoring games and in general, I am happy with the way they have played,” Paras Mhambrey said.
Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka defeated Shikhar Dhawan-led India by 4 wickets to level the three-match series. Dhananjaya de Silva scored 40 not out off 34 balls while wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Bhanuka smashed 36 off 31 deliveries to help the hosts chase the 133-run target with 2 balls to spare.
Kuldeep Yadav returned with the figures of 2 for 30. Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl. Indian captain Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with a 42-ball 40 as India posted 132 for 5. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 21 off 18 balls while Devdutt Padikkal contributed with a 23-ball 29.