Kuldeep Yadav stated that the pitch of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will help spinners on day 5 and hence India needs to put up a good total to defend in ongoing 1st Test against New Zealand.
New Zealand’s first innings folded for 402 runs with Rachin Ravindra scoring 134 and Tim Southee making 65 runs. For India, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja picked three wickets apiece.
In response, India ended day 3 on 231/3 with Virat Kohli scoring 70 and Sarfaraz Khan unbeaten on 70. The duo added 136 runs for the third wicket as Kohli fell on the final ball of the third day. India still trails by 125 runs with 7 wickets in hand.
Kuldeep Yadav remarked on Friday that the surface has begun to show some turn and that Indian spinners will benefit if hitters create a sizable lead in the second innings.
“The spinners were getting some help when we were bowling, and hopefully, we will get more spin on Day 5. But for that, we need a good total to defend. Considering our bowling attack, we will be aiming at setting an effective target. We can’t predict a proper total right now as a lot of batting is still left for us,” said Kuldeep in the post-day press meet.
Kuldeep hoped Sarfaraz Khan, who is batting on 70, will score some big runs on Saturday.
“We all saw how he scored 200 during the Irani Trophy. We’re hoping that he slams another here. Since he is playing for India, his technique does not matter as long as the runs keep coming. however, he has a good technique against the spinners and doesn’t let them settle down. I always feel that if a batter does not allow a spinner to settle down, he is a true batter. The way he was counter-attacking the left-arm spinners forced them (NZ) to bring in the pacers,” said Kuldeep.
Kuldeep Was all praises for Rachin Ravindra, who stroked his second Test hundred.
“He’s batted really well. I did miss the chance of taking his wicket a couple of times. But overall, he is a great player and has improved a lot in the last two years. He has a good batting technique and looks comfortable against the spinners. But I just hope he doesn’t bat so well in the remaining contests against us,” said Kuldeep.
“My plan was simple — get them (Rachin-Southee) out anyhow. Southee was lucky to have survived quite some close chances, but he did bat well and added valuable runs for his team. My focus was mainly bowling on the good length,” he added.
(PTI inputs)
