Cricket News

‘He used to give him just 1-2 overs’ – Star Indian spinner’s childhood coach lashes out at Dinesh Karthik for not giving him enough chances

India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach has criticised former captain of Kolkata franchise Dinesh Karthik for not giving the wrist spinner more opportunities during his stint.

“When he was with Kolkata and Karthik was the captain, he used to give him just 1-2 overs each game. Now he says that Kuldeep is his favourite Indian bowler,” Kuldeep’s coach Kapil Pandey was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.

He added, “Favorite tha toh usko khelaya kyu nahi? Usko khilaate? (If he was your favorite bowler then why didn’t you play him?) But that’s okay, that’s past now and I believe the future will be great for Kuldeep.”

Kuldeep recently made his Test comeback in the first Test against Bangladesh and put up a sensational performance. He marked his comeback in India whites by picking eight wickets including a fifer in the first innings. However, the southpaw was surprisingly dropped for the second Test to make way for left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat. India went on to win the second Test by 3 wickets and completed a 2-0 whitewash.

Pandey expressed his disappointment on Kuldeep being dropped in the second Test and said that he has become a mature cricketer.

“Despite being the Man of the Match, when he was dropped in the second Test, I didn’t know how to console him because I myself was in tears. But the way he told me to stay patient and keep faith that things will work out eventually, shows how matured he has become,” Pandey said.

Players like Virat Kohli have a huge role in backing him: Kapil Pandey

Speaking of his return for India post a successful Indian T20 League 2022 campaign, Pandey also suggested that head coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and former skipper Virat Kohli played a big role in the same.

“When he was injured and was at the NCA, Rohit Sharma had supported him and naturally, Dravid has also offered the same support. So, the captain, coach and even the senior players like Virat Kohli have a huge role in backing him and helping him make a comeback,” he added.

Kuldeep Yadav will be next seen playing in the ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on 10^th January.