Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has slammed the way in which Team India used Kuldeep Yadav’s services on Day 4 of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka as well. He also urged India to show a little more faith in the left-arm wrist-spinner’s ability and skill as well.
During a discussion on Cricinfo, Pujara said, “Kuldeep Yadav could have bowled more number of overs. You need to show a little more faith in his ability. He is a match-winner. Yes, you have Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar, but you need to show a little more faith in Kuldeep. Give him an over when the ball is new. He came in when the ball was a little old. When the ball is new, we have seen there is a bit more grip from the pitch.”
While sharing his thoughts on Kuldeep, Pujara said that the current Indian management does not seem to have enough faith in the experienced spinner’s bowling as well.
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“There is not enough confidence when it comes to Kuldeep’s bowling. I don’t know what is the reason. I am sure there might be some team strategy. I am not trying to take any credit away from Jadeja and Suthar. But, when you look at all three bowlers, one guy stands out for me and that is Kuldeep. When you give him that [confidence], his body language and performance changes a lot,” he added.
Cheteshwar Pujara also feels that Team India should have declared their second innings in Galle ‘5-6 overs earlier’ as well.
“There should have been a declaration 5-6 overs earlier. As a team, if you want to get to 370, maybe you can try and accelerate a bit more. Ultimately, India might win this game, if there is no rain interruption. But, if there is a rain interruption, you don’t want to be in a situation on Day 5 where you are thinking that we could have declared five to six overs earlier,” he said.
“I think they should start with a seamer. I would like to see Siraj starting the innings from one end and you can have either Kuldeep or Manav Suthar bowling from the other end. I would love to see four overs of Siraj and four overs of Prasidh Krishna from one end. Continue bowling with spinners from one end and rotate your spinners from the other end,” he concluded.
