"It's not a small sample size" - Shaun Pollock expresses surprise at Team India star's numbers after Day 1 of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Former South African pacer Shaun Pollock hailed Team India spinner Kuldeep Yadav for his incredible Test numbers after the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. The 30-year-old was the star of the day, picking up three wickets at an economy of under three in his 17 overs.

Despite debuting in Tests in 2017, Kuldeep is playing only his 17th red-ball outing for India. Yet, the left-arm spinner boasts impressive numbers with 75 wickets at an average of 21.18, including five 5-wicket hauls.

Talking about Kuldeep Yadav's Day 1 performance and his overall Test numbers on Cricbuzz, Pollock said (1:50):

"The key and the best performer was Kuldeep Yadav. He looked like he had a plan too. Especially to bowl on that kind of surface on Day 1 with not much to work with. What amazes me is when I see Bumrah come on to bowl and I look at his stats, I am impressed with the average and strike rate. Same with Kagiso Rabada. But Kuldeep came on today and it's gone under the radar for me, I was amazed that he averages 21 and his strike rate is less than 40. And it's not a small sample size."

He continued:

"That's really impressive for a guy who's been in and out and never really been able to settle in, he has done a remarkable job. Looking ahead, yes, in India and on turning surfaces, Jadeja, Sundar and Axar are a real handful. But away from home in SENA conditions, it'll be about the wrist spin and how you can create deception through flight and variations. So the fact he's gaining confidence, especially from today's kind of surface, which wasn't a typical one we've seen in India over the last two years, his flight and deception was good."

Kuldeep's heroics helped India keep the Proteas to a mediocre 247/6 after the opening day.

"Sometimes the figures don't tell you the story" - Murali Kartik

Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik heaped praise on Kuldeep Yadav for his outstanding performance on Day 1 of the second South African Test. Kartik was amazed by Kuldeep's ability to maintain control even on good batting tracks like the one in Guwahati.

"The one man who was on a mission and stood tall was Kuldeep Yadav. Sometimes the figures don't tell you the story. Even on a good track, he's economical and doesn't give away runs. The reluctance to use him in the last Test even for holding one end up was surprising. He was pretty special the way he mixed things up, especially the way he lured Tristan Stubbs," said Karthik (via the aforementioned source).

Kuldeep also impressed in the series opener with match figures of 4/66 despite India's shocking 30-run defeat.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran