Wasim Jaffer said that left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has the potential to give Team India breakthroughs at critical stages, which he proved in the recent matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
The former Indian opener also feels the wrist-spinner has shown remarkable consistency whenever given an opportunity and hopes Yadav will do a great job in the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting on Friday (January 27) in Ranchi.
Wasim Jaffer was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo: “It happens with wrist spinners. When their form is good, when the ball comes out of their hands well, they take wickets. He has proved in the last two series by taking big wickets and giving breakthroughs at critical stages. So, he has that potential.”
The 44-year-old added, “He wasn't given the chance earlier. Since Axar Patel isn't there, the management has given him a consistent run. He plays a match, gets dropped, returns, performs, and gets axed again. So, it's not easy for any player.”
Having been impressed with his remarkable consistency, Jaffer backed Kuldeep to get a chance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia at home.
The former batter added, “He has shown remarkable consistency and I won't be surprised if he does well in this series. I expect him to get a chance against Australia as well.”
Jaffer also expects Arshdeep Singh to bounce back strongly in the T20I series against the Black Caps after his poor outing in the last series against Sri Lanka, where he bowled five no-balls in a match.
He signed off by saying, “All three bowlers played in the last T20I series and did well. Arshdeep Singh has been slightly out of form, but I am sure that the way he bowls, he will bounce back in this series. If he is not there, we might get an inexperienced bowling unit, given both Shivam Mavi and Umran Malik haven't played a lot of games.”
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
