Shastri wants India to aim for a positive start in Australia
Shastri believes India must target a fast start to the series in Perth to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive.
Spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin had been Team India’s premier spinner for a long time. However, chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav has overshadowed Ashwin with his performance in overseas Tests and the left-arm spinner has also earned India coach Ravi Shastri’s approval as the lead spinner in overseas conditions.
“There is a time for everyone. But now Kuldeep is our frontline number one overseas spinner. I was very impressed with the way Kuldeep bowled in Sydney. Even in Test cricket, it is going to be the age of wrist spin, especially in overseas Test cricket,” Shastri told Cricbuzz in a recent interview.
Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has now backed Ravi Shastri’s decision. Speaking about Kuldeep, Harbhajan said Yadav’s elevation was due to an increased emphasis on wicket-taking bowlers.
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“With what Ravi bhai has said about Kuldeep being your no.1 spinner in overseas conditions, I think the team is now going to that zone where they are looking for wicket-taking options. Look, Ashwin started off so well in England and was a joy to watch in the first Test but he lost his way as the series progressed and Moeen Ali overshadowed him. It’s a tough call but I am sure it’s in the best interest of the team,” Harbhajan, who bagged 417 wickets in 102 Tests, told India Today.
Kuldeep Yadav has scalped 24 wickets in just six Test matches at an economy rate of 3.51. R Ashwin has bagged 342 wickets in 65 matches at an economy rate of 2.84.
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