'He Has A Big Heart': Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq Lauds Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav was struggling with his form in March before the coronavirus lockdown but as per iconic spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, Kuldeep has a big heart and is a very capable spinner.

Photo: AFP

Pakistan cricket team's ex-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has heaped praise on Indian cricket team's young and talented spinner Kuldeep Yadav, stating that Kuldeep has bowled remarkably well in white-ball cricket in recent times. In January, the star spinner proved why he is not just an ordinary bowler and has some unique skills to deliver as he became the fastest Indian spinner To 100 ODI wickets during the ODI series Australia. Kuldeep was struggling with his form in March before the coronavirus lockdown but as per iconic spinner Mushtaq, Kuldeep has a big heart and is a very capable spinner. "In shorter formats, Kuldeep Yadav has done really well. I like him a lot as he has got a big heart. I have spoken to him a few times as well and he seems to be a well-educated cricketer," Saqlain told Cricket Pakistan. Kuldeep has so far played 6 Tests, 60 ODIs and 21 T20Is in which he has scalped 24, 104 and 39 wickets respectively. Mushtaq believes that when it comes to bowling in the longest format of the game (Tests), Aussie lethal spinner Nathan Lyon is the one who has done really well in past few months, but in home conditions. "Australia's Nathan Lyon has been doing well. He put up impressive performances against England and also against Pakistan and India. I think he is one of the best (spinners) at the moment," he said. "There is no one better than Ashwin in home conditions. Ravindra Jadeja is also there in the longest format." When asked to pick the better batsman between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, Mustaq said it is unfair to compare the two but still Babar's calmness gives him the edge over team India captain Virat Kohli. "Both are great players, with a great technique, and are mentally very strong. They have the hunger and passion to score lots of runs," Saqlain said. "Kohli is more aggressive while Babar is humble. Babar's calmness gives him an edge over Virat Kohli if we look at what sports science teaches us. "But comparing Babar with Kohli is unfair because the latter has been performing for a very long time, all over the world," he added.