Kuldeep Yadav proves his match-winning value for India with a stellar spell

Kuldeep Yadav waited until the 16th over to get the ball during a hot match in Greenfield, as West Indies openers had already started scoring freely against India's bowlers. Once on the field, the left-arm wrist spinner stopped the visiting team from building a massive total and proved why he should be a regular pick for the World Cup team. His place in the team often comes under threat when selectors want extra batsmen or pace bowlers who can also bat well. Even though he is his country's ninth highest wicket-taker, two tough matches against New Zealand were enough to push him out of the playing eleven recently. Unlike finger spinners who keep runs down by pitching the ball in the exact same spot, he relies on a mix of different lengths, speeds, drop, and turn to trick batters. His smart bowling was clear when he dismissed John Campbell, a batter who loves to sweep. By bowling wide balls that were slightly short, he invited Campbell to play a shot, then tossed up a ball that dropped suddenly with extra bounce, leading to a poor shot and a catch. He finished his spell with impressive figures of three wickets for ten runs in three overs during his second burst, after conceding only 26 runs in his first six overs. His overall figures helped stop West Indies from crossing the 300-run mark after they had reached 174 runs in 30 overs. He removed centurion Justin Greaves using a well-planned googly that hit the pads and was given out on review, and then sent back Keacy Carty with the very next ball caught at slip. Out of his total deliveries, 34 were dot balls, and he gave away only four runs an over while bowling as a strangler, enforcer, and aggressor.