They’ve got to play Kuldeep Yadav…it is an absolute no-brainer: Michael Clarke
Indian bowling attack in the first Test has looked toothless. Despite the heroics of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj looked off-colour, Prasidh Krishna could not find the ideal length for the placid Headingly surface and Shardul Thakur, who has the knack of picking wickets, could not wield his magic. Although Ravindra Jadeja did find a bit of grip and turn for his wily left-arm spin, he lacked a partner in crime to support him and provide the X-factor.
Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke said he will play Kuldeep Yadav going forward in the series. “Bowling-wise, I do not want to be hard on any individual, but I think they’ve got to play Kuldeep Yadav. I think it is an absolute no-brainer. I think he’s a wicket-taker and would have offered a lot more than what he saw the attack do in this Test,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Podcast.
“India have done this for a while. They care so much about extra batting or stacking the batting deep, and they are willing to risk picking the number one spinner to do that. I think to win in England, you’ve got to look to pick 20 wickets,” Clarke added.
Former England cricketer Nick Knight, speaking to this publication about the dry summer in England this season, said he will also look to play Kuldeep. “I would be looking for every opportunity to play Kuldeep Yadav. England will find it hard against Kuldeep. If Kuldeep is on top of his game, that could be a defining moment in the series, or moments, because England likes to be aggressive. When you want to be aggressive, you have to be certain about which way the ball is turning. If there is a little bit of assistance from the pitch, Kuldeep will be able to bowl all his varieties,” he said.
