‘For me, it’s Kuldeep Yadav’ – Former cricketer names his Player of the Match winner against Pakistan

In India’s match against Pakistan the previous night former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir was not satisfied with the Player of the Match award winner. Notably, for his valuable contribution towards the team, India’s former captain, Virat Kohli was awarded as the player of the match for his knock against the lethal Pakistan bowling line-up. 

Virat Kohli scored 122* runs off 94 deliveries with a strike rate of 129.79. Gautam Gambhir believes Kuldeep Yadav should have been awarded as the player of the match award considering his contribution for the team as he took a five wicket haul against the Pakistan team who plays spin exceedingly well on a pitch that had a lot of swing. 

Gautam Gambhir on the ideal candidate for the Player of the Match award 

“For me, it’s Kuldeep Yadav. Can’t look beyond him. I know Virat got a hundred KL (Rahul) got a hundred. Rohit (Sharma), Shubman Gill got fifties but on a wicket like this where it was seaming swinging, if someone get five wickets in 8 overs, especially against Pakistan batters, who play spin really well, is a game-changing moment,” said Gautam Gambhir. 

“I can understand if it was Australia, South Africa or New Zealand because they don’t play spin that well. This just shows the quality of the bowler. He beat batters in the air and he beat batters off the wicket as well. Going into the World Cup, that is great for Indian cricket because now you have two attacking pacers upfront and Kuldeep… Three bowlers who can take wickets at any stage of the game,” added Gambhir. 

“Very happy at the moment. It is the consistency from the last one and half years, I have got my rhythm back and am enjoying my bowling. It is good to get five wickets, I am just thinking about bowling on a good length.  Feels amazing to get 5 wickets in ODIs or Tests. I have my plans when playing against the top sides. I have played against them (Pakistan) in 2019 and know their strengths, but I bowled to my strengths. Focusing on bowling wicket to wicket, good sides try to sweep or slog sweep or sweep and give me a chance to get wickets”, said Kuldeep Yadav in the post match ceremony.