India spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned with impressive figures of 4 for 43 in 9.3 overs as the Rohit Sharma-led side defeated Sri Lanka in a low-scoring thriller to qualify for the Asia Cup final. Now, Kuldeep shared his perspective on the role of off-spinners in the team.
Speaking to Star Sports, Kuldeep said –
“I don’t think of myself as an off-spinner; I think of myself as a classic leg-spinner. The only thing is I bowl from the left hand. I have variations and a googly as well.
Kuldeep added – “So I don’t think you need to have an off-spinner. If your team’s combination is sitting well, then you don’t need to play 3-4 spinners. If you have two quality spinners, then I think that works.”
Defending a 213-run total, India rolled over Sri Lanka for 172 thanks to Kuldeep’s four-for and two wickets each from Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Kuldeep further said –
“So I always think about locking the batsman, bowl at the stumps, whether it’s a lefty or righty, to keep him locked and bowl at the stumps. He shouldn’t get an opportunity to free his arms because if he does, it is easy for him to connect his shots. But the target is to bowl at a good length and keep him locked.”
