India vs West Indies, 2018: Five unnoticed things from the second ODI

#2 Kuldeep Yadav’s comeback

India’s defence of 322 runs depended on the shoulders of the chinaman bowler today. Kuldeep Yadav, spinning his web of leg-spin and googlies was the major weapon that Kohli possessed against the Windies batting lineup. Responding duly, the left-arm wrist spinner picked up three wickets ending as the highest wicket-taker in the match.

The fact which may have gone unnoticed is that the lead spinner was dropped in the first ODI of the series. India wanted to test the backup seamer options and played with all three pace bowlers in Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Khaleel Ahmed. While Chahal picked three wickets, Kuldeep was sorely missed from the bowling attack.

Tonight, Kuldeep displayed why he was a must-pick in the team. Bowling the tenth over, the leggie castled opener Hemraj with a well-disguised googly. After conceding three boundaries, Yadav bamboozled Marlon Samuels and later dismissed Rovman Powell to complete the three-wicket haul.