"This is the best Indian team to reach a T20 World Cup final"- Kuldeep Yadav's childhood coach disses 2007 and 2014 teams

Kapil Dev Pandey, Kuldeep Yadav's childhood coach, has lauded the left-arm wrist spinner after his success in the T20 World Cup 2024. Kuldeep did not get a chance to play in the group stages of the tournament, which was played in the USA, due to seamer-friendly wickets in New York.

But as soon as the tournament moved to the spin-friendly conditions in the West Indies from the Super 8 stage, it became clear that Kuldeep would slot back into the Playing XI.

From there on, the spinner hasn't seen behind and has emerged as India's premier weapon in the bowling department. His ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs stands out the most. His role will be crucial in the final against South Africa.

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Kapil Dev Pandey lauds Kuldeep Yadav after the success in T20 World Cup 2024

While speaking to IANS, Kuldeep Yadav's childhood coach called him the backbone of the team and felt proud of the way he was performing for his country.

“Obviously, he (Kuldeep) is the backbone of the Indian team. He got the chance in the last four matches and has been performing very well. We all know what sort of player he is and I feel really proud to see him delivering for the country,” Kapil Dev Pandey said.

Kuldeep has picked up 10 wickets in the four matches he has played so far at an average of 9.40 and an economy rate of 5.87. He picked up 3-19 in the semi-final against England to help India march into the final.

The left-arm wrist-spinner has been impressive in all the formats of the game for the past year or so. Even in Test cricket, Kuldeep played a crucial role in India's home Test series win earlier this year.

Kuldeep Yadav's childhood coach backs India to win T20 World Cup 2024

While further adding to the conversation, Kapil Dev Pandey further praised India for its exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup 2024. He called this team as the best Indian team ever and backed them to bring the trophy home.

“India is performing exceptionally well and they have reached the final of the T20 World Cup after beating every team. This is the best Indian T20I team to reach the final and I firmly believe that this team will bring back the glory of 2007 T20 WC and end the drought of 17 years,” stated Pandey.

India last won a T20 World Cup in 2007, which was also the inaugural edition of the tournament. Since then, India has reached the final only once (in 2014) but lost to Sri Lanka in the final.

The Men in Blue haven't won an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy. Despite reaching the semi-finals and final on several occasions, India hasn't been able to clinch the title.

It will be interesting to see whether India's trophy drought will be over this time or not. But they are likely to face stiff competition from an in-form South African team.