Flop ODI XI of the year 2020

11. Kuldeep Yadav

Rounding off this less-than-perfect team for ODIs in 2020 is Kuldeep Yadav. While he is highly heralded for his ability to provide key breakthroughs, in recent times, Kuldeep’s wicket-taking form hasn’t quite been at its peak.

The 26-year-old wrist-spinner’s trajectory started to dip right around the time of the IPL last year, so much so that the KKR management was ultimately forced to drop him from the playing XI. And although he did make a comeback in the World Cup and ODIs against West Indies, his form in 2019 was undeniably hot and cold.

But the year 2020 turned out to be an even leaner one for the Kanpur-born leggie. Kuldeep lost out on his guaranteed spot in the playing XI and mostly played second fiddle to Yuzvendra Chahal. His stats in 2020 read 6 wickets from 5 games, at an average of 53.83. Not out-and-out disappointing, but certainly a far cry from the willy left-arm-leggie India fans have all grown accustomed to.

The constant chopping-and-changing in the line-up seems to be affecting the ‘KulCha’ twins’ confidence, so it might be a reasonable idea to start playing them together like before. Additionally, Yadav can clearly use some extra confidence from the KKR think-tank in the IPL.