Yuzvendra Chahal has come out in support of Kuldeep Yadav after the latter’s flop show during the second ODI against New Zealand in Rajkot on Wednesday. Kuldeep struggled to stop the flow of runs and was hit for fours and sixes by the Kiwi batters on January 14.

In two matches, Kuldeep has taken two wickets and conceded 134 runs in 19 runs at an average of 67. He conceded 82 runs from his 10 overs in the second contest, with Daryl Mitchell and Will Young going after him.

Despite the below-par display, Chahal has defended his teammate. In a post on social media, he reminded everyone that Kuldeep is the best spinner in the world.

“Kuldeep Yadav is the No. 1 SPINNER in the whole WORLD! #Champion #AnyFormat @imkuldeep18,” said Chahal on X.

Kuldeep and Chahal were sensational when they played together, picking up 130 wickets in 70 matches. Kuldeep claimed 70 scalps while Chahal got 60.

Mitchell said that they were looking to apply different options against Kuldeep, and that’s how they achieved success against him.

“Kuldeep is one of the best bowlers in the world, and he can turn the ball both ways,” Daryl Mitchell said after being declared the Player of the Match for his match-winning hundred.

“We adapted to different situations and found different ways of tackling him,” he added.

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate wants the spinners to deliver in the third and final ODI on January 18. “We need to bowl a bit better,” he said while highlighting the performance of the spinners in the game.

Kuldeep Yadav has taken five wickets in two ODIs at the Holkar Stadium in the past.