Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal Reveal MS Dhoni & Virat Kohli's Roles In Their Rise

India’s spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav lavished praise on skipper Virat Kohli. The wrist-spinners have enjoyed incredible success in their short career so far and credited Kohli for the same, saying he always backs spinners in the team.

The duo has not looked back since replacing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the limited-overs teams. After Ashwin and Jadeja’s constant struggles in shorter formats, the team-management pinned its hopes on Kuldeep and Chahal. And it is safe to say that they have not disappointed. They have done well not only in subcontinental conditions but also on lesser-friendly wickets.

They blew away the likes of Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home. And then proved their mettle 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 in the rainbow nation.

And both of them feel that the way Kohli’s man-management has helped them do well.

“The way Virat Kohli has managed us has been commendable. We all need a captain who keep his faith in us, understand our abilities and support our talent. He backs our strengths as always tells us to bowl according to our strengths. It becomes easy to bowl and communicate in such environment,” Kuldeep told IndiaTV.

Chahal also echoed Kuldeep’s sentiments, saying:

“He (Kohli) backs everyone in the team. He talks to the players who fail to perform on a given day and tries to boost their confidence. In IPL, we get to play 14 matches and that is much more than a series. We get more chances of comeback in IPL, so he always motivates the players and never put pressure on youngsters,” he said.

Chahal also credited former captain and wicket-keeper MS Dhoni for the recent success of Indian spinners, claiming that he does “50 percent” of their work from behind the stumps.

“MS Dhoni does 50 percent of our work from behind the stumps. When we come to bowl, he gives us all the important inputs related to the wicket and weak areas of a batsman,” he said.

Kuldeep then said how getting wickets are more important for both the leading men Kohli and Dhoni and thus they back the spinner even when they go for some runs.

“Both Kohli and Dhoni back spinners in the team. Even when we concede 10-15 runs in an over, they don’t put pressure on us. Wickets are more important for them, so they keep their faith in us,” the 23-year-old chinaman added.

Meanwhile, both the spinners are now getting ready for some tough away test. India will play in Ireland and England and will be hoping that the spinners deliver in unfriendly conditions.