Former Indian top-order batter Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his disappointment over the mistreatment of the wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Speaking exclusively to Cricinfo, Pujara asserted that Kuldeep needs to get more overs and the captain needs to show a little more faith in his abilities. Furthermore, the former cricketer also advised Gill to give Kuldeep an over when the ball is new.
While Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar bowled 17 combined overs in the second innings at Stumps on Day 4, Kuldeep could bowl only 3 overs. Pujara has reckoned that Kuldeep should have got more overs when the ball was new to get more grip from the surface.
“Kuldeep Yadav could have bowled more number of overs. You need to show a little more faith in his ability. He is a match-winner. Yes, you have Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar, but you need to show a little more faith in Kuldeep. Give him an over when the ball is new. He came in when the ball was a little old. When the ball is new, we have seen there is a bit more grip from the pitch,” Cheteshwar Pujara told Cricinfo.
Additionally, the former No.3 batter has advised the Indian team management, headed by Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill, to give Kuldeep more confidence so that his body language and performance change a lot.
“There is not enough confidence when it comes to Kuldeep’s bowling. I don’t know what is the reason. I am sure there might be some team strategy. I am not trying to take any credit away from Jadeja and Suthar. But, when you look at all three bowlers, one guy stands out for me and that is Kuldeep. When you give him that [confidence], his body language and performance changes a lot,” he added.
