Consistency or flamboyance? What would you choose? India Cricket Team have the same dilemma in leg-spin department. If Kuldeep Yadav is the consistent one with orthodox leg-spin, Ravi Bishnoi is World No 1 T20I bowler. But in the IND vs SA 1st T20, only one will get an opportunity while the other will have to warm the bench. Who would Suryakumar Yadav pick?
Ravi Bishnoi has made a splash with nine wickets in five matches in the IND vs AUS T20 series. But that was in absence of his regular leg-spin competitors. With 34 wickets in 2023, Bishnoi has definitely kept the selectors on the notice. However, Kuldeep Yadav is the one with the trust from team management and selectors.
Kuldeep Yadav might have the least number of wickets in T20Is in the last two years. However, he has only played nine matches for India. But in those matches, he was impressive with his restrictive bowling. His economy rate of 5.30 stands out.
Kuldeep Yadav vs Ravi Bishnoi
With Yuzvendra Chahal out of reckoning from T20Is — for now at least — who should the team pick in IND vs SA 1st T20? If they want to go with fast googlies in Durban, Ravi Bishnoi is the man in IND vs SA 1st T20.
He has kept batters puzzled with his speed. He does not generate a lot of turn. But the googlies and sliders do most of the damage.
India’s leg-spin battle (Last 24 months)
| Player | Mat | Wkts | Econ | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravi Bishnoi | 21 | 34 | 7.11 | 4/16 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 9 | 11 | 5.3 | 3/12 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 30 | 32 | 8.01 | 3/20 |
Who will get the nod in IND vs SA 1st T20?
Kuldeep Yadav is the traditional leg-spinner with variations. He is left-arm leggie which makes him little different to read from the other ones. After his ouster from India Cricket Team, Kuldeep worked on his action and speed and the results are here for everyone to see.
His slower deliveries generate more turns, keeping batters guessing. Take World Cup for example, where he bagged 15 wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of just 4.45. He succeeded even on the flattest of surfaces.
Now, it’s up to the team management to give him an opportunity in IND vs SA 1st T20 and see if Kuldeep Yadav can keep Ravi Bishnoi on the toes. Bishnoi has got his chance and with just six T20Is left before IPL 2024, it is the chance to test bench strength. Not to forget, Kuldeep Yadav has 17 ODI wickets in South Africa in just six matches.
