“You expect Kuldeep to be the pick of the bowlers” – Aakash Chopra on wrist-spinner’s concerning form in SL vs IND ODIs

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has raised questions on Kuldeep Yadav’s form in the ongoing three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Yadav picked 2-33 in the second ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday, which India lost by 32 runs.

Furthermore, Kuldeep returned with figures of 1-33 in the first ODI against the hosts, which ended in a tie. While the wrist spinner has bowled economically, he hasn’t met the lofty expectations. 

The Colombo pitch has provided a lot of assistance to the spinners and the hosts spin battery has made the most of their known conditions.

“We are saying this is a slow track and he isn’t getting much help,” Chopra said in the latest video on his YouTube channel. 

“He took wickets — got Janith Liyanage caught and bowled but it’s also true that on the same pitch, Jeffrey Vandersay took six wickets. He’s also a wrist spinner so you expect Kuldeep to be the pick of the bowlers but that hasn’t happened yet.”

On the other hand, the renowned commentator questioned Shubman Gill after the opener has failed to convert his starts in the first two matches. Gill scored 16 runs in the series opener and then scored 35 runs in the second game.

“Shubman Gill hasn’t looked dominating yet,” he said. “He’s thinking runs are available here and he can play a huge innings — score 70, 80 or maybe even 100 runs. But he’s not able to reach there and is getting out.”

India’s middle order batting has been a huge disappointment in the first two matches and they will need to pull up their socks. The third ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Wednesday.