Overview:
Cheteshwar Pujara, who has played with Kuldeep, opined on the spinner's batting abilities
Kuldeep Yadav has been in and out of the Test team, with the management preferring all-rounders over him. In the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati, Kuldeep added 72 runs with Washington Sundar and saved India from getting dismissed before the 150-run mark. Kuldeep scored 19 runs but faced 134 balls, which showed his talent with the bat. In first-class cricket, the 30-year-old has amassed 1 hundred and 6 fifties.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who has played with Kuldeep, opined on the spinner’s batting abilities. “I have played with Kuldeep Yadav, but haven’t seen his talent with the bat. I know he can bat, but I mean, he hasn’t been able to show it before, and I don’t know the reason,” he said.
Aakash Chopra, who was sitting with Pujara in the commentary box, surprised the former No. 3 batter with his reply.
“He was once called the No.1 spinner in the team, and then he wasn’t given a chance for years, and you are talking about not seeing his batting talent. When he didn’t play, how could he show his batting?” he said.
Pujara soon realised that he had made a mistake. “Aakash bhai, you are right, and I didn’t even think in this direction,” Pujara replied.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep took four wickets in the first innings, but India are on the back foot, having conceded 489 runs. The sub-continent team was dismissed for 201, giving the Proteas a lead of 288, but the visiting team refused to enforce the follow-on. South Africa were 26/0 at the close of play on Day 3. They have stretched their lead to 318 runs and have a chance to win the match.