Kuldeep Yadav tags Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as irreplacable

The latest spin sensation of India Kuldeep Yadav became the first Indian spinner to claim a hat-trick against Australia and earned his prominence with just two Tests and 11 one-day internationals to his name. Though he played a big part in India’s 4-1 win over Australia, many are of the opinion that his real test will arrive during tours of South Africa and England next year.

Yadav has also been instrumental in India reaching the pinnacle in Tests as well as ODI rankings. The Chinaman’s addition to India’s limited overs side has summed up to the country’s reputation of unearthing the most skilful spinners. Apart from his hat-trick against Australia, his four wickets against the same opposition, on his debut at Dharamsala this year, displayed the immense potential he possesses.

He was brought into the side after Ravi Jadeja was rested for the limited overs series in West Indies. His performances and in-tandem bowling with Yuzvendra Chahal in the series against Sri Lanka followed by his escapades against Australia earned him various supporters who now insist on the new wrist-spinning duo permanently replacing the Ashwin-Jadeja spin-twin in limited overs cricket.

Australia most dangerous

Amongst the three oppositions he has played against so far, the KKR’s ace turner ranks Australia as the most threatening one. He was often hit for runs, especially by Glenn Maxwell, but was quick to make a comeback in the game and pick big wickets. Skipper Virat Kohli too had emphasized that being hit for runs was not a problem as long as the bowler is picking wickets.

“Australia are a good team and compared to other sides always play dominating cricket. Their batsmen don’t allow you to settle and just want to dominate a bowler. Australia is a dangerous side because they play freely and put you under pressure. I played in the West Indies and then in Sri Lanka but they don’t play as attacking as the Aussies,” elucidated the spinner from Kanpur, in an interview with AFP, ahead of the India vs New Zealand series.

Praise from the idol himself

Kuldeep grew up watching videos of spin legend Shane Warne and has referred to him as his idol on various occasions. The Australian spin legend recently compared him to Pakistan’s established Test spinner, Yasir Shah, saying the Indian can become “the best leg-spinner” if he remains patient.

“It’s great to be compared to a top spinner like Yasir Shah. It’s heartening to see praise coming from my idol. It reassures my belief in my talent,” said Kuldeep. It makes me happy that he (Warne) backs me and I feel there is some more talent in me.” further added the chinaman who became the third Indian in ODIs to clinch a hat-trick recently.

Ashwin-Jadeja > Kuldeep-Chahal

Kuldeep’s new found friendship in leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal may have earned him a lot of support but he denies that they are giving competition to veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. That said, it is evident that the management and captain want to groom the young spinning duo, in order to prepare them for the World Cup. Kuldeep Yadav’s statement shows that spin twins Ash-Jadeja haven’t really been “dropped” from the Team’s plans yet.

“You cannot replace anyone. Ashwin and Jaddu Bhai are the number one and number two spinners of India and I will always look up to learn from them,” Kuldeep said of his seniors. “They have done extremely well in Test, ODI and T20 cricket. We are very young and have to play much more cricket to even get close to them,” concluded the 22-year-old.