Bengaluru: The legendary Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday said that both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav would have a crucial role to play in India’s success in overseas conditions, highlighting that the cricketing world is, “yet to figure out” a way to counter the duo.
Both Chahal and Kuldeep had pivotal roles to play in India’s 5-1 win over South Africa in the ODI series.
“When it comes to batting, we speak about the number of runs scored but we are also winning matches because during those middle overs where the two wrist spinners (Kuldeep and Chahal) are bowling which is obviously heart-warming because one did not get to see wrist spinners much few months back,” said Tendulkar, at an event in Bengaluru.
He further observed, “I think they have been bowling well in tandem. I think it is fantastic because that is something which the rest of the world is yet to figure out how to play them.”
Sachin also added that India should try and win as many matches before the opposition figures out how to counter the duo.
“They (rival teams) are trying to figure out what are the right options to score runs against them. What is the right option to survive. What are the options to – how do we block and those kind of things. But before they figure out we should try and win as many matches,” he added.
He also said that the beauty of wrist-spinners is that they can bowl well in unfavorable conditions, hence adding a lot of value to the team.
“I firmly believed that the wrist spinners can add lot of value as they are not dependent on the surface. It is about what you do in the air and you have varieties bowling leg-spinners as well as googlies. Of course, during our days, bowling doosras by off spinners was common,” said Sachin.
A veteran of 200 Tests and 463 ODIs, Sachin said that batsmen could get away with experimental shots like the reverse sweep or the scoop when facing wrist-spinners in T20 cricket, but the scene is different when it came to the 50-over format.
“.. in a longer format game (50 overs), you cannot do all these things. You got to know how to tackle those two bowlers in between,” he added.
Recalling his tweet about Kuldeep Yadav when the latter had bowled his first three deliveries against Australia in his debut Test in Dharamsala, Tendulkar said, “I think those two bowlers – Chahal and Kuldeep – are going to be key factors. In fact, when Kuldeep made his debut and bowled the first few deliveries in Dharamsala, I posted a message saying that he has got a bright future and that is something which can help us go and perform well abroad.”
When asked about India being the favourites for the World Cup next year, the iconic figure said that the side has done well in the last few years and that the preparations for the marquee tournament has already begun.
He also credited the BCCI for the infrastructure it has put up which is yielding positive results in the fitness and diet among many other things.
“With more exposure to the newer things happening around the world, I think it is reflecting rather well,” the legend signed off.