“Kuldeep is our frontline number one overseas spinner” – Ravi Shastri

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Kuldeep Yadav has impressed everyone with his fine bowling performances and Team India coach Ravi Shastri is certainly one of the admirers. Kuldeep Yadav’s five-wicket haul in the Sydney Test has compelled Ravi Shastri to think highly of the left-arm bowler. In an interview with Cricbuzz, Shastri said Kuldeep is way ahead of veteran Ravichandran Ashwin and will be India’s frontline spinner on foreign soil.

Ravi Shastri backing Kuldeep Yadav as India’s main spinner in Tests.

“Already! He plays overseas Test cricket and he gets five wickets, so he becomes our primary overseas spinner. Going ahead, if we have to play one spinner, he is the one we will pick.”

“There is a time for everyone (referring to Ashwin’s poor fitness record in 2018). But now Kuldeep is our frontline number one overseas spinner,” he added.

Australian batsmen have, so far, failed to read him since his debut nearly two years ago. “I was very impressed with the way Kuldeep bowled in Sydney. Even in Test cricket, it is going to be the age of wrist spin, especially in overseas Test cricket. The way he bowled in Sydney, he becomes our number one spinner in overseas Test cricket,” Shastri said.

Going by Ravi Shastri’s words, Ashwin would be finding it really difficult to hold onto his place and to stay fit by playing in home Test matches alone. His IPL stint wouldn’t help him in any manner in saving his Test career. With the presence of other spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, Ashwin’s absence might not be felt that much. Ashwin is at the crossroads in his distinguished career.