Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav (R). (Credits: Twitter)

Former India skipper and head coach, Anil Kumble has admitted that the upcoming tour to England will be the litmus test for the young wrist-spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Meanwhile, the duo rattled the South African order in the limited-overs series earlier this year. However, they are yet to get a taste of English condition and Kumble believes “getting used to the cooler weather and slowish wickets” will hold the key for the spinners.

The wickets will be slightly slower early on; it depends on the weather. The first half — when you go in early July — can get cold. You won’t get much bounce hence you have to be a lot fuller, but these are things they will pick up as soon as they start practising there,” Kumble told Sportstar. 

The legendary spinner Kumble noted that wrist-spinners play a key role in the shortest format. He feels that their effectiveness have compelled distinct leaders to use them as wicket-taking options.

Anil Kumble Virat Kohli WhatsApp Group Journalists
Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Skipper crucial in bringing out the best of spinner:

The 47-year-old Kumble added skipper needs to back spinner to get the best out of them. Stating that they have done well so far, Kumble reminded that this will litmus test for the duo.

Both Kuldeep and Chahal have been aggressive bowlers, looking to pick up wickets, irrespective of how many runs they go for. You also need to set the fields and the skipper needs to back them. They’ve done a good job so far, but it’ll be important to see how they perform in English conditions,” Kumble added.

England Tour a Litmus Test for Kuldeep and Chahal - Anil Kumble
Credit: AFP

Coming from the back good stint in the Proteas, Kuldeep and Chahal have struggled to pick wickets.

However, Kumble feels there is nothing to worry about the numbers.

You can’t always pick up wickets and the opposition has also played them very smartly, especially Chahal because players understand that he’s the wicket-taking bowler in the middle overs,” Kumble concluded.

Anil Kumble had an illustrious career finishing as the third highest wicket-taker — 619 wickets from 132 matches — in the history of Test cricket.

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