IND vs ENG 2024: Saba Karim hails Kuldeep Yadav’s ‘variations’ in Dharamsala Test

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim lauded Kuldeep Yadav’s variations in the fifth Test against England at Dharamsala. Kuldeep picked two wickets of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope before the lunch break after England skipper Ben Stokes decided to bat first.

Kuldeep got the wicket in his very first over as he dismissed Duckett with Shubman Gill taking a fine catch while running back. Subsequently, Kuldeep bowled a googly to have England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope stumped.

Indian wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel told Kuldeep, ‘Aage badhega’ (He will step down the wicket) and the wrist spinner was able to bamboozle the first Test hero.

Karim said Dharamsala is a good hunting ground for Kuldeep. The left-arm spinner made his Test debut against Australia at the same venue and picked up four crucial wickets on the opening day after the visitors got off to a good start.

“Ben Duckett was unable to read Kuldeep Yadav’s delivery from the release, which is when you end up being a lot more aggressive which was not required at all. If you’re not able to read his variations ay the point of release, you’re putting yourself in a lot of trouble. That is what all England batters need to be wary of because this is Kuldeep Yadav’s favorite hunting ground,” said Karim while speaking to Sports18 during lunch.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep could have also bagged his third wicket had Rohit Sharma gone for the review when Zak Crawley (when he was on 61) was caught by short-leg fielder, Sarfaraz Khan. Khan was confident of going up for the review but Rohit declined as Dhruv Jurel wasn’t sure.

However, Kuldeep finally had Crawley when he was on 79 with a beautiful delivery. Kuldeep invited the England opener for a drive and had him bowled through the gate between bat and pad.