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While Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill are getting most of the praise for their centuries against West Indies in the 1st of the three-match ODI series, Kuldeep Yadav also deserves the same amount of praise from the cricket circle for his brilliant bowling spells, which restricted West Indies to under 300 runs even after securing a hundred-plus-run partnership in the opening stand.
Justin Greaves and John Campbell were in full control when Prasiddh Krishna, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, and Naman Dhir were in attack with the ball. India got in the contest through Kuldeep Yadav, who took 4 wickets against 40 runs.
Sairaj Bahutule heaps praise on Kuldeep Yadav
Ahead of the second match of the series. Indian spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said that Kuldeep Yadav has always been a match-winner for the team.
"Kuldeep has always been a match-winner for India. He has performed exceedingly well, and his numbers also show that. He works extremely hard at his game. There are certain aspects where he feels he needs to improve, so he goes into the nets and works on them," Sairaj Bahutule said in Guwahati, ahead of the India vs West Indies second ODI match.
Every team would want Kuldeep Yadav: Sairaj Bahutule
Praising Kuldeep Yadav highly, Bahutule mentioned that every team around the world will want to have a bowler like Kuldeep Yadav, as he could leave his mark both on and off the field.
“He is a player every team would want because he is always lively, both on and off the field. At the same time, his unique skills help us perform in different conditions. Being a wrist-spinner and a Chinaman [left-arm wrist spin] bowler, he definitely adds value to the team.”
Will Ravindra Jadeja go to play the 2026 ODI World Cup?
Ravindra Jadeja was also in the lineup in the match, but he remained wicketless. The ODI matches are crucial for every cricketer as they will shape the team for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Sairaj Bahutule highlighted Jadeja's all-round abilities.
Bahutule, in the press conference, noted that because of his experience and abilities in both batting and bowling, Ravindra Jadeja will definitely do justice to his name in the upcoming matches for the Indian cricket team.
“For me, Jadeja has always been a utility player. He is somebody who can contribute with the bat as well as with the ball. He has definitely improved as a bowler over the last six months. I thought he bowled really well in the Test matches in Sri Lanka," the Indian spin bowling coach mentioned.
“But Jadeja, with his batting skills and experience, is definitely doing well. I am sure he will be looked at in the coming time," he added.
In the previous match, India defeated West Indies chasing 296 runs by 8 wickets. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill's centuries took the team to the finish line safely. The second match between India and West Indies will be tomorrow at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
