Aakash Chopra has given a big thumbs up to Kuldeep Yadav for conquering tough moments and delivering a gamealtering performance in Indias epic 2024 T20 World Cup victory over Australia. The talented leftarm wristspinner recorded stats of 2/24 in a spell lasting four overs.
India set Australia a 206-run goal in their final Group 1 Super 8 match at Saint Lucia on Monday, June 24. The Australians responded with only 181/7, losing by 24 runs and being eliminated from the competition after Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh later that day.
In a video posted to his YouTube account, Aakash Chopra reflected on India’s bowling and mentioned that Kuldeep Yadav had a terrible season a few years ago.
“Kuldeep Yadav – there are many stories. Remember, he is the same player who cried in an IPL match. This is the same Kuldeep Yadav who sat on the bench for an entire year and was dropped in every format.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener hailed the spinner for recovering from his lows and producing impactful performances.
“However, if you see Kuldeep Yadav now, you can see the entire Test series against England, the performance in the entire ODI World Cup, and the last match or this one, he has been absolutely outstanding. He bowled four overs here and conceded only 24 runs and picked up two wickets, and who were the two victims – Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. What a player. The rise and rise of Kuldeep Yadav.”
Aakash Chopra
Kuldeep Yadav displayed exceptional fielding prowess by skillfully catching Mitchell Marsh at deep square leg a 37run contribution off 28 balls with a brilliant fielding effort supported by Axar Patel. He then swiftly bowled out Glenn Maxwell who posed a threat to Indias advantage accumulating 20 runs in just 12 deliveries.
“A bank of 8 overs with at least 4 wickets” – Aakash Chopra on Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah
According to Aakash Chopra, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are India’s two most deadly bowlers.
“What a bowler Bumrah is. Just think about it, he did concede 15 runs in the first two overs, but he gave only 29 runs in four overs. Kuldeep Yadav gave only 24 runs in his four overs. What a bowling lineup – a bank of eight overs with at least four wickets. They got three in this match for sure.”
Aakash Chopra
The acclaimed analyst also lauded Arshdeep Singh (3/37 in four overs) and Axar Patel (1/21 in three overs) for their effective spells.
“Arshdeep picked up wickets in the end. He is proving slightly expensive but it’s okay, he took wickets with the new and old ball. Axar picked up a wicket as well (apart from an amazing catch). He dismissed Marcus Stoinis, who is a dangerous batter.”
Aakash Chopra
On the other hand, Chopra stated that while Hardik Pandya conceded a few runs, Ravindra Jadeja was found inadequate both with the ball and in the field.
“Hardik Pandya was slightly expensive. Jaddu dropped a catch and conceded 17 runs in the one over he bowled. The rhythm is not yet seen in his batting. So that is a troubling thing because you expect better performance from Jaddu 10 out of 10 times. That improvement must happen.”
Aakash Chopra
Hardik Pandya was wicketless, conceding 47 runs in four overs. Ravindra Jadeja threw up 17 runs in his lone over and dropped Pat Cummins in the final over, a slip that did not cost him.