Ajit Agarkar, the head selector for the BCCI, identified India’s “trump card” ahead of the Australia series in his remarks at the press conference.
Rohit Sharma and company decimated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets to win the Asia Cup for Team India, who had a dominant run. This was their eighth Asia Cup championship. Mohammed Siraj spearheaded India’s attack in the summit match against the co-hosts in Colombo, completely turning the tide in India’s advantage.
While that was true in the final, Team India also put on a strong performance during the Super Fours stage. India opened the Super Fours with a record 228-run win over Pakistan before holding Sri Lanka to a respectable 213 runs.
Although the tone against Pakistan was set by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s undefeated tonnes, there was another outstanding achievement that was buried by the batting mastery. Kuldeep Yadav assisted India in dismissing Pakistan for 128 in 32 overs during the same match by picking up five wickets.
That wasn’t it, though, as Kuldeep again stepped up in India’s subsequent 41-run victory over Sri Lanka. This time, Kuldeep missed out on completing consecutive fifers by one wicket, but his effort nevertheless allowed India to dismiss Sri Lanka for 172 in response to their small 214 target.
The Player of the Series title went to Kuldeep for his performance in the continental competition. He has been in such good form lately that he will undoubtedly be a crucial member of India’s team going into the World Cup.
When Kuldeep was competing for a spot in the playing XI of both India and his former IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, he was nowhere to be found.
Kuldeep returned to the fray following his switch to the Delhi Capitals, and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who worked closely with the spinner while he was the Delhi Capitals assistant coach, now refers to him as India’s “trump card” in the competition.
“I had interacted with him during the IPL. He has a unique set of skills. The Indian team management understood that every man needed to be offered faith, and the results are clear. He is our greatest asset. He presents a challenge to most teams. When questioned about Kuldeep’s turbulent trip during a press conference on Monday, Agarkar said, “All of us are enthusiastic for what lies ahead.
For the first two games of the three-match series against Australia, which begins on September 22, the spinner has been given a rest. Along with Kuldeep, the other players rested for the first two games were Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya. In Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul will be in charge of the team.
