Former India player Wasim Jaffer named Kuldeep Yadav’s dismissal of Nicholas Pooran in the third T20I against West Indies on Tuesday as a game-changing moment as well. He applauded the left-arm wrist-spinner for having the courage to toss the ball up even after being hit for a couple of big hits by Pooran. However, India beat the Windies by seven wickets in the third T20I played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana where they chased a target in 17.5 overs as well.
While talking about the dismissal, Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo: “That wicket of Nicholas Pooran was a game-changing moment. He is their main batsman and a guy who is in great form. To get him out relatively cheaply with that flight and asking him to come out. Kuldeep was really brave there to toss it up, and that’s his strength because he can spin the ball both ways. That was a big moment; he (Pooran) can take the game away.”
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However, Wasim Jaffer further added that all the Indian spinners did well in the third T20I even though Axar Patel claimed one only wicket between them. While Axar registered figures of 1-24 from his four overs, Chahal managed 0-33.
“They bowled brilliantly. The 12 overs from all the spinners were very good. Good to see Axar repay the faith. It’s important to show faith. Sometimes when you don’t show faith, the bowler is very scared to bowl. In his mind, I am sure he is working on how to bowl to left-handers and certain batsmen,” the former player added.
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“To be honest, he looked quite rusty, throughout the ODIs and in the first two T20Is as well. Today was a different Suryakumar Yadav. That can happen with Suryakumar Yadav. He came out with a lot more intent, especially against the left-arm spinner. That’s been his downfall a few times – getting out to left-arm spinners. He’s that kind of a batter. He likes to take risks, and when it comes off, you get to see an innings like that. Absolute delight. When he is playing like that, he is a nightmare for bowlers and the (opposition) captain,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.
