Bowlers like Kuldeep are always a mystery: Mohammad Kaif

The opening day of the Dharamsala Test was not all about Steve Smith’s brilliant hundred but also marked a dream debut for fresher Kuldeep Yadav. The 22-year-old bowler turned out to be a brainteaser for the Aussie batsmen who were not prepared for the unorthodox bowler.

Being the first chinaman to feature for India in their history of Test cricket, young Kuldeep rattled the Australian batting line up with his spells. The commendable effort of the bowler also proved former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif’s prediction right, who had anticipated something similar before the start of the match.

The left armer brought back the Indians into the Test match by restricting the Australians for a total score of 300 runs, though the Aussies had a solid first hour of play which saw them 144/1 at one stage.

Mohammad Kaif, who was once the skipper of Uttar Pradesh, also had Kuldeep in his team at that time. He tweeted “Prediction Kuldeep Yadav will have a great debut. Aussies should strugggle to read him. Best wishes to Team India.”

It seemed as if Kuldeep valued the words of his former captain and did his duty with perfection. A not so surprised and pleased Kaif told TOI, “You are never ready for a bowler like Kuldeep. You need to have a proper plan. I think Australia never expected him to play,”.

Hailed as one of the greatest fielders the world of cricket has ever seen, Kaif also praised the selection team and believes that the decision to take Kuldeep was a wise one.

“If a player has match-winning ability and skill to take wickets, then you must pick him. It’s a masterstroke by Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli. Indian attack needed that, especially it being the Test that decides the outcome of the series. Great pick, that’s why I tweeted in the morning that he will be the man of the moment,” he added.

Kaif also said the 22-year-old is mentally stronger than other bowlers as young and carries a never give up attitude. This plus point of the bowler gives his team an added advantage on the field.

“Give the ball to Kuldeep and wait and watch what happens. The difference between him and other similar spinners is that he is very accurate and will hardly give you loose balls.A batsman may come out and hit him over the top, like Glenn Maxwell did today, but he will be right back at you attacking the very next ball,” Kaif said.