Paul Adams : Kuldeep, Chahal’s ability to take ball away from batsman make them different

The manner in which India’s wrist spinning duo of Chahal and Yadav decimated South African batsman time and gain in the six-match ODI series has impressed Adams, who believes that the duo’s ability to take the ball away from the batsmen on any pitch makes them special. The duo jointly claimed 33 wickets in the series with the Proteas batsmen hardly able to decode their mystery. 

"Yes, they are wrist spinners but they are different. They can take the ball away from batsmen. With different angles and different deliveries, they are very potent. Chahal has a lot of consistency. He gives a lot of rotation to the ball, which is good. Kuldeep's googly is very bothersome for the batsmen and not easy to read,” said Adams, reported Cricbuzz.

"Someone like Ashwin has a lot of variations and I hear he is even developing some traits of leg spin. But these wrist spinners can move the ball naturally in both directions and that is more potent," he added.

India have been riding high with their wrist spinning weapons for over half a year now and more often than not accommodate both of them in the starting eleven along with the other three pacers. And Adams believes that it is a very rare strategy used today that other sides would hardly resort to.

“If you look at the way cricket has gone in recent times, it has become more in favour of batsmen. So it is great for India that they are able to include both in the same playing eleven. India are eager to use both together and their team balance even allows for it. Not a lot of teams can do that include two spinners in the same ODI eleven, let alone two wrist-spinners. 

“South Africa usually don't use two spinners in ODIs or T20Is. At Johannesburg ODI, they didn't have a single spinner on a good batting surface. Yet, India were able to play both. It is definitely a unique position to be in," said Adams.

The India Premier League, which BCCI started 11 years back, has turned out to be a brilliant platform for players to showcase their talent and Adams believes that the fiercely competitive tournament has played a huge role in Kuldeep and Chahal’s success.

"IPL does provide different challenges and settings. Chahal and Kuldeep are used to bowling in difficult situations and so learned to develop their skills like how to beat batsmen in flight, or trajectory, or change of pace,” said Adams.