Laxman Sivaramakrishnan advises Kuldeep Yadav to be patient

The Indian cricket team has already sealed the Test series going into the 3rd Test match, and they are looking to push for a whitewash. Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav replaced Ravindra Jadeja, who was handed a one-match suspension after breaching the ICC code of conduct. Yadav made his debut against Australia this year in the Dharamsala Test match and in the process, became the 30th Chinaman bowler to play international cricket.

Interestingly, there are two Chinamen playing in this Test match, apart from Kuldeep, Sri Lanka’s Lakshan Sandakan is the other one. He has played five Test matches so far, and yesterday picked the priced wickets of captain Virat Kohli and in-form batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. To all who are still curious about the term ‘Chinaman’, it is a mirror image of a right-armer’s leg-break, a chinaman is a ball from a left-armer that is bowled with the wrist and turns the opposite way to orthodox left-arm spin.

Kuldeep must be rubbing his hands in glee

Speaking to Indian Express, the former Indian leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan said, “Chinaman bowlers are fun to watch. They have a lot of variety and their repertoire of tricks is something that orthodox spinners don’t possess. There is a tendency to go for runs, but they have wicket-taking potential. These bowlers have a unique angle while releasing the ball. Even if the ball doesn’t spin that much, the natural angle can deceive batsmen.”

Interestingly, The former leggie was the one who handed the Test cap to Kuldeep at Dharamsala. He added, “Sandakan was not afraid of flighting the ball and despite getting hit a few times, kept at it and got his reward. The pitch is already helping spinners and I’m sure Kuldeep must be rubbing his hands in glee.”

MS Dhoni outfoxed

The former spinner also added that Kuldeep Yadav needs to be patient.  He recalled one incident when the 22-year old outfoxed former Indian skipper MS Dhoni during the IPL. He also believes that under Ravi Shastri, Kuldeep will have a bright future.

“I started when I was 17 and finished at 21. Kuldeep should wait and watch. He has bags of potential and will definitely get more chances. My most enduring image of Kuldeep is when he outfoxed MS Dhoni, a veteran of playing spin, during this year’s IPL. Under Ravi’s (Shastri) tutelage, he will come up in a big way. He knows how to handle young talent and I see a very bright future for Kuldeep.” he said.

India are currently in the driving seat after all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s century guided India to 487 in the first innings of the 2nd day’s play at Kandy.