The Indian chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav has once again pointed out the importance of the former skipper MS Dhoni in the Indian squad. The spinner also said that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant have been performing well behind the stumps, but the team is missing the experience of Dhoni. 

Talking to the reporters during the sidelines of Times of India Sports Awards, Kuldeep said, “Mahi Bhai obviously brings a lot of experience with him and he has given the Indian team a lot. So when a player like that is not playing, of course, you miss him. They (Rahul and Pant) are young and are doing well. Both are keeping well so it has not made too much of a difference, but yes, you do miss his presence.”

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While Pant was touted to be the replacement of Dhoni post the 2019 World Cup, but the youngster’s inconsistency with the bat led to Rahul taking his place behind the stumps. Consequently, Rahul’s supreme form with the bat and ability to adapt at any batting position seems to have led to him making the position his own.

Describing the same, Kuldeep said, “They are catching well and batting pretty well. Every player has their good days and bad days and it’s important to back them when they have bad ones. It’s not that you play for one day, there are lots of days in a year for cricket.”

Kuldeep felt as a bowler he doesn’t need to make too many adjustments while bowling with Rahul or Pant or even with Dhoni. Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal’s rise as a lethal wrist spin duo was a theme for India going into the 2019 World Cup. However, since then, Ravindra Jadeja has become a crucial cog in the limited-overs squad has led to the pair rarely getting to play together in a match.

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Yadav said that it depends on the team management when asked if he expects to play once again with Chahal at the T20 World Cup later in the year. He explained, “As far as wrist spin goes, it depends upon what the management decides. If there are two players who are very good at forming batting or bowling partnerships, it is always great for the team. So it will be good if we play together. It’s all on the team combination. Jadeja has been playing very well as a batsman, bowler, and fielder. He gives a lot of depth to the batting.”

Kuldeep is expected to feature in the Indian squad for the ODI series against South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting on March 12. However, ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be the real litmus test for him as far as the selection in the squad for the 2020 World T20 is concerned.

Describing the same, Yadav said, “IPL is a platform that forces you to be alert all the time. I am fully ready for the tournament. It’s very important with the T20 format and the intensity is always high in this format. Any player likes to keep playing. IPL is a platform where if you play regularly you perform well. Even when I’m not playing I keep practicing so that I am ready when I get a chance.”