Former India batter Wasim Jaffer urged the team to back star spinner Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, beginning August 15. Wasim Jaffer also added that it was high time that Team India backed Kuldeep and gave him continuous opportunities in the playing XI as well. He added how Kuldeep is a proven match-winner and that the management must back him.
“It is very sad, and we are tired of telling this again and again. Last year also, in the English summer, we expected he would play. I think it is about time. There is no Ashwin either now. He needs to be given that confidence. I feel a wrist-spinner needs some backing from the coach and captain. He cannot be as consistent in delivering the ball as a finger spinner. But on a good day, he is a match-winner. He is a proven match-winner. It’s about time we start giving him that backing and don’t judge him based on each innings. It’s about time we realise the quality of Kuldeep Yadav,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Look at Australia and Nathan Lyon. He plays only one format. He also does not have a lot of variations but is very consistent and has the backing of the captain and the team. After Shane Warne, they did not have such a great spinner, but they stuck with Lyon. I feel we have made that mistake of not giving Kuldeep that confidence. He should have been supported. But at least from here on we can. I feel his best can come in these two-three years, provided we back him and play him continuously,” Wasim Jaffer further added.
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However, Wasim Jaffer also named a few of the top spinners whom he faced in his first-class career, including veteran Harbhajan Singh. He also shared the difference in spinners from then and now as well.
“In first-class, Harbhajan was very good. I have not played him a lot, though. Narendra Hirwani is one name. Sairaj Bahutule was very good, Ramesh Powar was, too. Hirwani had a big career. When I was playing for Vidarbha towards the end, Akshay Wakhare was one good spinner. Jalaj Saxena also. When I was playing, there were many good spinners. Now there is a difference because of white-ball cricket. The spinners today, I feel, have a slightly restrictive mindset while the ones before used to go for wickets. But you can’t bowl the same way now, as batters have also become fearless, so we need to understand that the game has also changed,” he said.
“From whoever I have seen, according to me, Anil Kumble has to be the best. The greatest match-winner probably. Then Ashwin and Harbhajan. I feel these three stand out for me. Anil was a great captain as well, and India have played good cricket under him. He did not have a long stint as a coach, but it was good. But everyone does not get everything, but he was a great cricketer, a very fine gentleman, and a great human being,” he concluded.
