Wrist-spinners and the art of float, swerve and dip

The best leg spin bowlers provide the ultimate test of skill and nerve. They play the fierce game of ‘the predator and prey ‘to the tune of ‘the cat and the mouse’. The batsman requires stealth and composure, because the spinners who know their craft make the ball float, swerve and dip.

Rise of leg spinners in T20 extravaganza

Who would have ever thought that T20 format, that was reckoned to be a graveyard for the leg spinners, would now, become a happy hunting ground! On account of their versatility and courage, they have become, the need of the hour players.

From the very first match of IPL 2018, this new breed of players had started to make their mark and the credit goes to this undiscovered player, Mayank Markande who impressed one and all with his impetus. Mujeeb Ur Rehman from Afghanistan was the youngest player to make his debut in the IPL. His leg spins provided aid to the KXIP's spin department. His countryman, the young spin sensation Rashid Khan has proved his prominence and helped his team to qualify for the playoffs.

India has found their spinning duo in Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav - 'Kulcha'. They have got their 'Dronacharya' behind the stumps in MS Dhoni. Who constantly guides and brings out the best in them.

Rout caused by Kuldeep Yadav

The 49th match of the IPL between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab was an example of sheer bravery and mindfulness shown by the players in the overthrow of the rival team's super batsmen by the unorthodox spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

The Eden Garden's pitch was not turning square. In the beginning, Rajasthan Royals got off to a flyer. Although Kuldeep managed to get rid of Jos Buttler with the quicker one, he did not remain complacent because he could sense the imminent disaster that could happen if they did not continue playing well. So, they ran through RR batting line-up to save the team.

Despite his poor bowling performance in the last two outings, this chinaman bowler remained unruffled and in full form. Undoubtedly, he stole the show with the figures of 4/20 in four overs.

A wicket- ball to Buttler skidded straight on, but did so very quickly, as though it had been bowled on the glass. It was something new in the Yadav's repertoire. He flung the ball in the high arc to RR's skipper Ajinkya Rahane and he missed the ball because it wasn't there. Stuart Bunny and Ben Stokes are the other two scalps from the beautiful deception in the air by the 23-year-old.

This is what Dinesh Karthik had to say about the stupendous performance of the Chinaman. "Kuldeep is an internationally acclaimed bowler and is one of the best Chinaman bowlers in the world."

Sanjay Manjrekar voices his approval on Kuldeep's dextrous bowling and his unassuming valour saying:

Kuldeep Yadav is one of the bravest bowlers I have seen. Tosses the ball above batsmen’s eye line even in T20s. 👏👏👏🙏#KKRteam #IPL2018

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 16, 2018

Thing about this chinaman

He is different because he bowls with the higher arc, above the batsman's eye line and that too, at a snail's pace, to perplex the batsman in a manner similar to the spinners of 80's. He entices the batsmen to come on the front foot to hit the ball. But it is the deception in the air that proves to be a killer blow.

He walks in slow pace like Shane Warne. The typical Kuldeep’s walk in his starting phase clearly transmits this message to the batsman, that, “I’m the master of this game and not you. “After that comes the leap and then the explosion at the crease.

Make no mistake, he is the force to reckon with. He is the rare chinaman in the Indian subcontinent. If KKR wants to stay in the hunt, he along with Sunil Narine has to play the vital role in their march towards the playoffs.