India vs England | No need to put more pressure on Kuldeep Yadav, asserts Graeme Swann

07/21/2018

Graeme Swann has warned India not to put too much pressure on Kuldeep Yadav, who has been handed a chance in the Indian whites, stating that he will have some bad days in his career. He also added that James Anderson’s ability with the new ball will be key for England in the upcoming Test series.

Ever since he made his debut for India in the final Test against Australia last year, Kuldeep Yadav has been on an incredible run. The mystery bowler was first introduced to ODI cricket against the Windies after the 2017 Champions Trophy and since then he has gone on to play 23 ODIs for the country, picking up 48 wickets at an average of 19.35 and an astonishing strike rate of 24. With the kind of performances he was putting up, it was only a matter of time before he was again given the nod for the longest format of the game. Now that he has been called up for the much-awaited Test series, Graeme Swann has asked the visitors to be patient with the left-arm wristspinner.

“If I was an Indian, I would desperately want him to play in the Tests because he does provide mystery and the English batsmen cannot pick his googly. He also bowls a good length and went for just 20-odd on a beautiful batting wicket at Nottingham. He doesn’t give the batsmen enough opportunity to see the ball off pitch, and can hit a perfect length and pace,” Swann said, reported PTI.

“If India use him wisely, he could be a massive bowler for them this summer, particularly if it continues to stay dry. This is where some caution is needed. He has bowled well, but he has also come up against two very poor teams against wrist spin in South Africa and England. So, my advice would be to not get carried away and put too much pressure on Kuldeep that he has to perform and do well always.”

With India and England winning the T20I and ODI series respectively, all eyes shift to the Tests, where England will announce a completely different team as compared to the limited-overs series. One of the biggest weapons that England have in their arsenal is veteran James Anderson, who is England’s highest wicket-taker in the traditional format. The English pacer has been a big problem for India in the past, especially in England, where he averages a cool 25.88 with 60 wickets in just 12 matches. He was instrumental in England’s 3-1 win over India in 2014 where he dismissed Virat Kohli four times. While pinpointing that the 35-year-old was still the key to England’s chances, Swann voiced his concern about Anderson’s capabilities against Kohli with the old ball.

“If the ball doesn’t swing, England will have to rely on reverse swing later on. Jimmy (James Anderson) is not the same bowler with the older ball because by the time it starts reverse swinging, Kohli will be 60-70 not out,” Swann explained.

“England did well last time because Jimmy had the new ball swinging. It’s just not Indians who don’t do well against swing. Every batsman in the world doesn’t like it when the ball swings around especially when Anderson is bowling.

“If it swings, England will win the Test series easily but if it doesn’t, and I don’t think it will, I think it will be a brilliant series. England don’t have a great spin attack in the Test series, so again India hold all the aces in that department too.”

India vs England | No need to put more pressure on Kuldeep Yadav, asserts Graeme Swann

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