Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan would have got hit in modern-day cricket but not Saeed Ajmal: Abdur Rehman

Former Pakistan spinner Abdur Rehman believes that legendary cricketers like Anil Kumble and Muttiah Muralitharan wouldn’t have fared well in modern-day cricket. Rehman, who represented Pakistan in 22 Tests, 31 ODIs and eight T20Is, mentioned that they would have leaked a lot of runs and only Saeed Ajmal could have succeeded.

Talking for Kumble, Rehman stated that the leg-spinner was not a big turner of the ball, and thus, batters could have picked him up well in the modern era. However, when it comes to Ajmal, he thinks that the 45-year-old has a lot of variations under his belt, and thus, players would have had problems dealing with him.

“I think he (Kumble) would have got hit if he was bowling now. Because he was not a big turner of the ball. It used to skid. In modern day cricket, the pace with which it is played, the line and length that he used to have he would have got hit. Even Muralitharan would have been hit. During his time also he got hit. But Saeed Ajmal would not have got hit now because of the variety he had,” Rehman said on the Nadir Ali Podcast.

Chahal is not Lambe Race ka Ghoda: Rehman

While talking about India’s spinners these days, Rehman stated that Ravindra Jadeja has improved a lot since his initial days, while Chahal has failed to prove himself so far. The 43-year-old stated that the leg spinner tends to get hit easily and that he is not a player to be relied upon. 

“In their condition, all pitches turn. When there is a flat pitch, then they get exposed on occasions. Jadeja was a poor bowler when he came in but under MS Dhoni's captaincy he imporved so much that he is world no. 1. In all formats, he is doing well. Chahal can be hit easily. He is not a big turner of the ball, there is no force. It does not seem like he can turn red ball cricket; maybe in shorter formats he can be successful. My point of view is that he is not lambe race ka ghoda,” Rehman added.

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