Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav Photo Credit: AP

Reetinder Singh Sodhi, the former Indian cricketer believes that wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav wasn’t able to make the most of his chances in the recently concluded three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe.

He stated that the wrist spinner needed to come up with spectacular performances, which he wasn’t able to do. He believes that the left-arm spinner needs to be more consistent in order to cement his place in the team.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Reetinder Singh Sodhi. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi: Kuldeep Yadav Has To Be More Consistent As His Chances For 2022 T20I World Cup Look Dim

The 41-year-old also reckoned that Kuldeep Yadav might not be able to find a place in the Men in Blue squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi stated: “Kuldeep Yadav needed to perform exceptionally well on this tour to win the hearts of the selectors. He did bowl well in this match, but he has to be more consistent. He will be a little disappointed as he could have done better. It remains to be seen if he gets a call-up for the T20 World Cup, but at the moment, his chances look a bit dim.”

Kuldeep Yadav in action. (Credit: Instagram)
Kuldeep Yadav in action. (Credit: Instagram)

Kuldeep Yadav bagged only three wickets from as many matches against Zimbabwe, however, had a fantastic economy rate of 4.39. Axar Patel proved to be more successful, finishing with six wickets and topping the bowling charts.

Kuldeep Yadav returned wicketless in the 1st ODI against Zimbabwe but was economical- 36 runs in 10 overs. He picked 1/49 in the 2nd ODI bowling 8 overs. He picked 2 scalps in the 3rd ODI conceding 38 runs in 10 overs. His average was a high 41.

Rajkumar Sharma And Saba Karim Reckoned Indian Pacers Struggled When They Were Under Pressure

Speaking in the video, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma highlighted that the Indian pacers failed to hit the right lengths in the encounter when put under the pump. He also spoke about how the bowlers weren’t able to get the yorker right and also didn’t try a lot of variations.

Rajkumar Sharma stated: “Indian pacers didn’t bowl yorkers during the death overs. Shardul Thakur did bowl a few slower deliveries towards the end, otherwise even that variation seemed to be missing. We could see the inexperience of the three seamers. Zimbabwe don’t have a very strong batting lineup, but despite that they struggled when they were under pressure.”

Saba Karim. – File photo of former wicketkeeper - The Hindu
Saba Karim. – File photo of former wicketkeeper – The Hindu

Saba Karim also pointed out that the Indian fast bowlers struggled during the death overs. The former cricketer suggested they weren’t able to execute their plans well when Sikandar Raza was playing attacking cricket towards the backend of Zimbabwe’s innings.

He stated: “There was no need to bowl yorkers in the first two games as the bowlers were getting wickets easily due to the favourable conditions. This was the first time that the Indian pacers were under pressure in this series. They weren’t able to hit the right lengths during that time.”

The Men in Blue secured a thrilling 13-run victory in the third ODI. The visitors completed a stunning 3-0 series win over Zimbabwe in the ODI rubber. Sikandar Raza’s 115 went in vain. The pace trio Deepak Chahar (2/75 in 10 overs), Avesh Khan (3/66 in 9.3 overs ) and Shardul Thakur (1/55 in 9 overs) picked wickets but conceded runs at more than 6 runs per over.