Kuldeep Yadav challenges Ben Stokes to play Bazball in the Test series ahead

Team India’s only wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav feels that England’s Bazball approach in Test cricket is good for the game as it has provided a new dimension for viewers as well as players to enjoy the longest format of the game. The Chinaman claimed that he enjoyed himself quite a lot in his first-ever instance of facing the Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes-led Three Lions on a tour of India for a 5-match Test series.

Kuldeep Yadav had missed the 1st Test in Hyderabad in which India dramatically lost by 28 runs following a brilliant batting performance from England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope who converted his full century into 196 to give India a target of 231 which proved to be too much for the home team’s batting line-up as Pope’s batting act was complimented by debutant Tom Hartley’s 7-wicket haul.

England never had this good of a chance to double their lead in the series at Vishakhapatnam but it was the Indians who eventually walked away with a 106-run win to put the series on level terms at 1-1. It was a clinical performance by Rohit Sharma’s side as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill shone with the bat while Jasprit Bumrah landed deadly some blows to England and left the ACA-VDCA stadium with match figures of 9/91.

While Bumrah registered 6 wickets in England’s 1st innings with the bat alone, Kuldeep Yadav had amassed 3 wickets including the much-needed breakthrough of Zak Crawley who eventually was dismissed after a tremendous 76 off 78. The left-arm wrist spinner also claimed the wickets of Ben Foakes and Rehan Ahmed.

In the 4th innings during England’s unsuccessful run chase of 399, Kuldeep managed to trap Crawley once again this time at 73. It was a great comeback from the Chinaman who was taking part in his first red-ball match since December 2022 when he played the 1st of a 2-match Test series in Bangladesh and was also adjudged as man of the match for figures of 5/40 and 3/73.

While speaking to ESPNcricinfo ahead of the 3rd Test against England in Rajkot, Kuldeep Yadav stated that he was happy with the way he staged his comeback in the longest format.

“It’s been good. Whatever Tests I’ve played, I’ve performed well. I have three five-fors, so yeah it feels good when you see the stats. I’m very happy.” – Kuldeep told ESPNcricinfo. 

“You Have Those Many Opportunities To Take Wickets”, Kuldeep Yadav Points Out Flaws Of Bazball

In that same interview, the 29-year-old claimed that the Bazball approach is not just good for the team that’s using it but also for the opposing bowling units that receive plenty of chances to claim wickets. Kuldeep Yadav affirmed that the style of play helped him to get involved a lot more than usual and pointed out that Bazball helps in claiming wickets at regular intervals.