Cape Town: India skipper Virat Kohli says wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been simply unbelievable in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa but remained non-committal on whether they will become Test regulars anytime soon.
Chahal and Yadav have combined for 21 wickets in the first three ODIs of the ongoing six-match series. The Proteas have conceded that they have yet to get a hang of the duo, which has tormented the hosts continuously.
As far as the Test format goes, Yadav made his debut in the longest version last year against Australia and has appeared in a couple of matches so far. Chahal, on the other hand, is yet to get a call-up in the longest format of the game.
“We knew they would pick up wickets (here) because these guys have bowled in flatter batting tracks at home. Some might think they have bowled in T20 cricket when the conditions are very difficult and they have picked up wickets on a regular basis there as well,” Kohli said after the third ODI triumph Wednesday.
When asked about the wrist spinners’ chances of playing Test cricket, Kohli replied, “Those are things that are quite a bit away from now. Look they are obviously making a very strong case for themselves, bowling in these conditions and making breakthroughs like we haven’t seen before.”
“It’s outstanding to see two guys just totally spinning a web around the opposition. There doesn’t seem to be a way out at all. It’s unbelievable. Taking eight wickets today (Wednesday) – outstanding,” he added.
Kohli said the duo has been brave in going after wickets even at the risk of conceding a few runs. “I don’t have words to explain this. Credit to them. Both are very brave in terms of how they bowl and the kind of fields they want as well. They are very brave tossing the ball and asking the batsman to come out and play a risky shot.
“Hats off to them but the other debate is a bit away from now. You never know what happens in the future but I am really happy at the moment,” he added.
Kohli said the brief for Chahal and Yadav is quite simple, go for wickets and not worry about the runs. “They are told to go for wickets at all times. When you are going for wickets you are bowling in areas that are uncomfortable for the batsmen and more often than not they end up defending. So I think all the credit has to go to them because they’ve executed those lines and lengths perfectly,” he said.
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