Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif has lauded India’s chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav and said that he will finish the World Cup 2023 as the leading wicket-taker. While writing a column for The Indian Express, Latif stated that not a single batter from Pakistan was able to decode Kuldeep. The chinaman spinner has taken five wickets in the first three matches in the tournament.

“Against Kuldeep, we looked timid, we were trying to just play out his ten overs. Not a single Pakistan batsman was able to pick Kuldeep (Yadav), and I think if he is not rested in a few matches, Kuldeep will end up being the leading wicket-taker of the tournament,” said Latif.

The former Pakistan legend also said that India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin should play all the matches for India. Ashwin only played in India’s opening match against Australia and took one wicket.

“I was surprised that India didn’t pick Ashwin. I feel he should play all the matches for India. If Ashwin had played I don’t think we could have even got 190 on the board,” Latif added.

Cracking energy 🔥
Electrifying atmosphere ⚡️
Solid team performance 💪🏻#TeamIndia | #INDvPAK | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/Mcddo4HC23

— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) October 14, 2023

The Indian bowlers bundled out Australia for just 191 runs in the first innings while India on the other hand chased down the target with 7 wickets in hand, riding on half-centuries from Rohit and Shreyas Iyer. Left-arm chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav also bowled well, picking up two wickets after conceding 35 runs. He removed Saud Shakeel (6) and Iftikhar Ahmed (4) in quick succession.

On the back of a win against Pakistan, the Indian team claimed the top spot in the World Cup points table, surpassing New Zealand due to a superior net run rate of +1.821.

The Men in Blue will now play against Bangladesh at the  Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 19.