New Delhi: Call it a masterstroke or a gamble, but the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav has paid off for India on Saturday.
The young spinner marked his debut with four wickets on Day 1 of the fourth Test in Dharamsala. His figures of 23-3-68-4 is not the best, but it will be remembered for a long time, thanks to nature of the series and also the importance of the match.
In a ill-tempered series, which many have claimed reached a 'toxic' level, a debutant coming and reducing the opponents is stuff dreams are made of.
An rightly, Indian legends took to Twitter to hail the latest 'mystery bowler'. Leading the chorus was batting great, Sachin Tendulkar.
I am impressed with @imkuldeep18's variations and the way he has started. Keep going strong, this can be your match to shine.
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 25, 2017
Virender Sehwag also returned to his favourite platform, with a wise crack. Unlike in the past, the former India opener from Delhi was quiet on social media platforms.
Is China ke maal ki lambi guarantee hai.
India's first ever Test Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav ,shaandaar firki le li Australia ki. pic.twitter.com/WMgFLEor74— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 25, 2017
Kuldeep today became the first left-arm chinaman bowker to play Test for India.
He went onto take the wickets of David Warner, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins.