Sachin Tendulkar hails debutant Kuldeep Yadav, impressed with his variations

Now, who would have imagined the Indian team management deciding to go with 3 spinners in a pace friendly track and include Kuldeep Yadav in Dharamsala. Not many I can bet on that but eventually, the move turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the hosts in the deciding encounter. Captain Virat Kohli who injured his right shoulder during the 3rd Test at Ranchi was forced to sit out which made way for Kuldeep. According to general consensus, India should have gone with an extra batsman given Kohli is not in the team but the team management went against it and decided to replace him with Kuldeep.

The left-arm tweaker was all over the Australian batting order with his exceptional variations and immaculate line and length. His maiden Test wicket came with a straighter delivery as David Warner edged it straight to Rahane at slip. It was a tremendous catch by the stand-in captain to give Kuldeep his first international wicket.

He started growing in confidence and it showed in his bowling. He bowled with more authority and variations and it was quite evident from the deliveries with which he dismissed Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell. Handscomb was lured into the drive with a big gap between the bat and the pad. It breached through his defence and disturbed the timbers.

Maxwell who scored his maiden Test century in the previous match was bamboozled with a sensational wrong un by the chinaman bowler. The ball turned sharply as Maxwell was in a dilemma with the direction of the turn. It just brushed the top of the off stump as the hard-hitting batsman was totally squared up. Former legend Sachin Tendulkar heaped praises in the youngster for his exceptional spell so far.

Taking to twitter handle Tendulkar wrote, “I am impressed with @imkuldeep18’s variations and the way he has started. Keep going strong, this can be your match to shine.” It has certainly been a huge moment for Kuldeep who will be hoping for a 5 wicket haul in his maiden Test.