After Ravi Shastri, Shane Warne too backs Kuldeep Yadav

The cricketing fraternity is divided over the experienced Ravi Ashwin and young Kuldeep Yadav as to who serves India best in Tests overseas. Though the numbers are heavily tilted in favour of the right-arm off-spinner Ashwin, it is Chinaman Kuldeep’s rich exploits abroad that have brought him into contention with the former. And after India’s head coach Ravi Shastri, former Australia spin wizard Shane Warne has also backed the youngster.

Recently, Shastri created a stir in the cricketing circles by backing 24-year-old Kuldeep over the 32-year-old Ashwin when it comes to performing in away Tests. Ashwin, who is India’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in the long format with 342 scalps, hasn’t been that successful in away games. Moreover, even though he had a decent start in two-Test series in England and Australia in the recent past, he could not go on to capitalise as injury stopped him from participating in the entire series on both occasions.

In away Tests played in 2018, Ashwin averaged over 30 and did not have too much to show as success despite bowling several overs in the entire year. An injured Ashwin let down the team in the crucial fourth Test against England in Southampton last year while his opponent number Moeen Ali floored India. Injury has been a major let-down for Ashwin as he missed five Tests last year, three against Australia despite starting off well by picking six wickets in the first game in Adelaide.

Kuldeep has capitalised on chances he has got in Tests

Kuldeep, who was more of a limited-over specialist till recently, has capitalised on the opening he has got in the absence of Ashwin and in six Tests, he has claimed 24 scalps already. His 5 for 99 against Australia in the fourth Test in Sydney last month was a major feat and that could put his senior partner under more pressure to perform in the longer format, the only variant he is playing at the moment.

“He plays overseas Test cricket and he gets five wickets, so he becomes our primary overseas spinner. Going ahead, if we have to play one spinner, he is the one we will pick,” Shastri was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Speaking on the matter, Warne, 49, said he favours the leg-spinners. He said he wants to see spinners playing all the time, whether off or leg but he has a soft corner for the second variant.

“I think it’s a proven fact that leg spinners can help win you games in all conditions, home or away. So I hope India stick with spinners and Kuldeep gets a spot in any condition because he is a class act,” Warne, who himself was a wrist spinner, said.

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