Kapil Pandey, Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach, wants the left-arm wrist spinner to take five wickets against Pakistan in India’s forthcoming Super Four showdown. India and Pakistan will face off at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21.
Kapil believes that the Indian team is formidable, and Pakistan would be under pressure to perform after losing to India’s earlier in the competition.
“Our team is very strong. They have defeated Pakistan in the earlier match, so their morale is high. Pakistan is under pressure as they have lost once. Our team is very balanced. It’s time that Kuldeep should pick five wickets, and even if he doesn’t pick five wickets, he should bowl well and take the main wickets and make the team proud,” Pandey was quoted by One Cricket.
India finished as the table-toppers of Group A by winning all three of matches, including a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph against Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. Kuldeep’s 3/18 in his four-over quota that game earned him the Player of the Match award. He was one amongst three bowlers alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel who bowled 15 dot balls in that match.
Kuldeep’s best performance in the continental tournament came against UAE in the tournament-opening clash at the same venue, as he secured a four-wicket haul (4/7) in just 2.1 overs. Kuldeep was instrumental in getting the hosts bundled out for 57 in 12.1 overs. He conceded 23 runs in three overs against Oman in India’s third group-stage clash.
On the other hand, Pakistan finished second in the group. Barring the India match, they won their remaining two games against Oman and UAE by 93 runs and 41 runs, respectively. They ended up with a net run rate of +1.790 as compared to India’s +3.547.
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