IND vs WI | Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are match-winners, claims Bharat Arun

After being named in the squad for the recently concluded West Indies series, Indian fans got a glimpse of the returning Kuldeep Yadav following his axe from the Indian team. Ahead of the first T20I, former cricketers, including VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble, were in favour of playing Yadav in the series, for him to prove himself. While it was expected that the duo would get a game together in the series, it was not so as Yadav replaced Yuzvendra Chahal in the team for the third T20I. 

Following that, the Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun admitted that it would be difficult to see the duo back together in the playing XI, but also commented that they could be played together only if the conditions favour spin. India, going into the World Cup, opted to bring Ravindra Jadeja in the squad, dropping Yadav.

"We were looking at an ideal combination which gives absolute balance to the team," Arun was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz ahead of the ODI series against West Indies. "Also there was an option, were we could use Jadeja as an all-rounder. So that really helped us and yes, there may be occasions when there are conducive conditions both can be playing together. But we will have to look at the overall balance before we decide the team.” 

Jadeja’s all-round ability gave the left-hander a longer stint in the national team setup with Yadav having to be dropped from the 15-man squad. 

“If they can bat, it lends a lot more balance to the team. But as it is, Kuldeep and Chahal can be matchwinners on their day. When it comes to matchwinners, you forego the other aspects. They can win you matches just by one skill alone,” added Arun. 

With Washington Sundar slowing claiming his place in the limited-overs side, it might get very difficult to see ‘Kulcha’ in an ICC event together in the near future.