VVS Laxman, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal
Chahal and Kuldeep have been brave, Image Courtesy: Getty

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are perhaps the most feared spinners in world cricket at the moment. On the overseas tour, they have been Kohli’s go to bowlers. Meanwhile, the former India veteran, VVS Laxman, in his column to the TOI, called India’s wrist spinners as brave. He said knowing the boundaries are on the shorter side in New Zealand, both Chahal and Kuldeep have kept it tight for the batsmen. In four matches played, the pair share 14 wickets among each other. Though they didn’t add any to their tally in the Hamilton game, Chahal and Kuldeep have been instrumental otherwise.

The wrist-spinners have been sensational – VVS

VVS Laxman was all but sharing high praise for the bowlers saying they have been unafraid to flight the delivery. In the previous games, the wrist spinners wreaked havoc in the middle-over; not allowing the batsmen to settle and eventually getting them out.

Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal
VVS says apart from Kane, Taylor and Latham, the others have found it tough to face the pair. Image Courtesy: Getty

The former Test great added apart from Kane, Taylor and Latham, the others have found it challenging to take on them.

“The two wrist-spinners have been sensational, addressing the challenges posed by the short square boundaries with a big heart. Kuldeep and Chahal have been unafraid to flight the ball and hoodwink the batsmen in the air. They have slowed the pace down, bowling between 76 and 80 kmph for the large part and not allowing the batsmen to play them off the back foot. Apart from Williamson, Taylor and Latham, I don’t think other batsmen are able to pick their variations,” Laxman wrote in his column for the TOI.

New Zealand was expected to ask questions to India – Laxman

Because NZ had been so dominant at home, VVS Laxman feels they should have asked India the questions. However, it didn’t happen, as India had clinched the five-match ODIs 3-0.

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Though the Kiwis returned in the series with an eight-wicket win in Hamilton, Laxman says the India ha played an exciting brand of cricket.

“New Zealand were expected to ask difficult questions of India because, especially in their own den, they have been a formidable force for so long. But India have mercilessly overrun them match after match, playing a ruthless but attractive brand of cricket,” Laxman said.

Bhuvi, Shami brilliant with the new ball – Laxman

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami have shared 15 wickets so far in four ODIs. Image Courtesy: Getty

Not only the spinners but also the fast bowlers have been brilliant for India in the series. In four matches the pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami has picked 15 wickets and are instrumental in their efforts as well.

“Bhuvi, and more so Mohammed Shami, have been brilliant with the new ball. Shami has slipped effortlessly back into the white-ball mode and backed up one incisive spell with another, which is a tribute to both his skills and his vastly improved fitness levels,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, New Zealand and India will face off in fifth and final ODI in Wellington on Sunday (February 3rd).

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