Graeme Swann Opens Up On What Kuldeep Yadav- Yuzvendra Chahal Need To Do To Excel In England

India’s sensational spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will have their task cut out when they lead the spin attack on the upcoming challenging tour of England. The wrist spinners have not looked back since replacing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the limited-overs team last year.

The duo got a chance after Ashwin and Jadeja’s constant struggles with white-ball and went on to justify their selection. After blowing away Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home, they made a huge mark in South Africa. Kuldeep and Chahal were the leading wicket-takers in the ODIs. While Kuldeep picked up 17 wickets, Chahal ended with 16 as India beat the hosts 5-1 to win a historic series.

The road ahead, however, is only going to get tougher. As India is eyeing an improved show in England, the duo will have to be at their very best to do well on pitches which won’t offer much for the spinners. However, former England spinner Graeme Swann is confident the wrist spinners can excel in English conditions.

Swann cited Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah’s example to back his claim. Shah had picked up 19 wickets as Pakistan drew the four-match Test series 2-2. Swann felt that emulating Shah can bring success for the Indian spinners in England.

“Wrist spinners can do well in England. Yasir Shah did well for Pakistan last year. So, the English players don’t tend to bowl wrist spin or pick it very well,” Swann said on the sidelines of an ESPNCricinfo event. “The trick is that in England you’ve to get people on the front foot, because the wicket’s slightly slow. So as soon as you’re slightly short, you get murdered around the ground. Yasir bowled quick leg spin and didn’t allow batsmen to go on the back foot. So, if they heed the advice of Shah, they could have a very good time.”

India had endured nightmare outings on the last two tours of England. In 2011, they were whitewashed 4-0 and in 2014 they lost 3-1. However, Swann feels Virat Kohli & Co. should have a good tour as he lauded the depth of the squad.

“India’s batting is a lot better. The last time around, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad just threw India away and Moeen Ali bowled really well. This time around, they’ve got Broad and Anderson who’re still brilliant, still world class, but the back-up… Moeen Ali is not even in the team against Pakistan. So, there’s a big gap in the spinners department. India’s pace attack is a lot better these days,” he opined.

India will play three T20Is, three ODIs and 5 Tests against England.