Asia Cup 2023: “Kuldeep has shown that he can make a difference,” Gavaskar heaps praise on wrist-spinner

Kuldeep spun a web of destruction around Pakistani and Sri Lanka batters in Asia Cup Super 4s.

Kuldeep Yadav has impressed one and all with his exploits in the ongoing Asia Cup. In the group stage, the wrist-spinner didn’t get a chance to bowl in the rain-abandoned game against Pakistan while he failed to claim a wicket against Nepal.

Kuldeep spun a web of destruction around Pakistani and Sri Lanka batters in the Super 4 round to script India’s thumping victories.

While Kuldeep picked up a five-wicket haul (5/25) against Pakistan, he returned with four scalps (4/43) versus Sri Lanka.

Ahead of India’s Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has heaped praise on Kuldeep Yadav.

“Kuldeep has shown that he can make a difference. Wrist spin, whether it is right-arm or left-arm, can get you wickets. And wickets are the best dot balls in limited overs cricket. Also, the fact that he is bowling a little flatter, not giving that much air, getting the ball to spin, makes him difficult to play,” Gavaskar told India Today.

On a separate note, Gavaskar also offered words of advice to the Indian batters while facing Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage.

Notably, Wellalage ran through the Indian batting line-up in Super 4s with a five-wicket haul but his remarkable effort went in vain as Sri Lanka lost the game by 41 runs.

“I think they would try and get to the pitch of the ball as quickly as possible. It’s not an easy wicket to always toss the ball up. But every time he gives the ball a little bit of air, drive him with quick footwork. Unless the pitch is flat and there is not much turn, don’t look to loft him. Make him think,” Gavaskar remarked.

India and Sri Lanka will square off in the Asia Cup final at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday (September 17).