Chahal, Kuldeep Can be Deciding Factor for India in World Cup - Robin Peterson

Former South African all-rounder Robin Peterson believes the spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are going to be the deciding factor for India in the World Cup. Both the spinners have done a great job for the India National Cricket Team and they are going to play a key role in England and Wales in the ODI showpiece.

In fact, both the spinners have claimed more than 100 wickets while playing together for the Men in Blue. Both of them were drafted into the Indian squad after the 2017 Champions Trophy and since then they haven’t looked back.

Chahal and Kuldeep have been superb.

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have provided breakthroughs in the middle overs, which has been a massive difference. Furthermore, they have kept the opposition batsmen in check.

“You want as much mystery spinners in your attack as possible. India is very blessed to have Chahal and Kuldeep in their team. Rival teams don’t seem to be read them well and are finding it difficult to score off them. And they are getting wickets as well. I personally think, the wickets in England for the World Cup are going to be flat and both of them should be in the playing XI. These two spinners can be the deciding factor for India in the World Cup. I think the mystery element is what India lacked against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy (2017). Now they have brought in these two spinners and I think India are going to be hard to beat in the World Cup in England,” Peterson told TOI.

On the other hand, Robin Peterson also praised former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni. Peterson said Dhoni has helped in guiding Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in getting the better of the batsmen. Furthermore, Virat Kohli is also learning with experience.

“They have a unique skill-set. You have to be very patient with them. Dhoni is one of the smartest cricketers I have played against. I always admired how he used his bowlers as a captain. He is really good at matching up players in terms of the bowling. That only benefits both Chahal and Kuldeep. India’s current skipper Virat is learning and will learn from his ex-skipper on how to use these bowlers when the latter decides to leave the game,” added Peterson.

Meanwhile, former Proteas southpaw spinner also shed light on South Africa’s dip in form. They haven’t been at their best in the recent past and would like to pull up their socks.

“They lost AB de Villiers just a few months ago. Amla is not in the best of form. When your top players are plateauing, you need the young crop to step in and that hasn’t been happening in South African cricket off late. It is going to take a bit of time for South Africa, especially in Test cricket, to be back to where we were.”

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have grown in confidence after performing to the best of their abilities in the recent past. Kuldeep was in fine form in 2018 as he scalped 45 wickets in 19 ODI matches.