Kuldeep Yadav is the best spinner in the world at the moment, says former India cricketer

Kuldeep Yadav has become the leading wicket-taker of the 2023 Asia Cup after his back-to-back phenomenal performances for India. The wrist-spinner took nine wickets in two matches, including a five-wicket haul against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage.

3 things you need to know 

• Kuldeep Yadav is India's leading ODI wicket-taker in 2023
• The Indian spinner has picked up 31 wickets in 15 ODIs this year
• Kuldeep clocked 150 ODI wickets in India's win over Sri Lanka 

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Kuldeep completes 150 wickets in ODIs

Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra stated that Kuldeep is the world's best spin bowler in ODIs. Kuldeep, who is India's leading wicket-taker in ODIs this year with 31 wickets in just 15 ODIs, happens to be the sole specialist spinner in India's squads for the Asia Cup and World Cup. 

Chopra, in a YouTube video, heaped praise on Kuldeep, saying: "I feel Kuldeep is the best spinner in the world at the moment. If you see Kuldeep Yadav's numbers, you say he is a proper wicket-taker. We are talking about spinners who have taken 150 ODI wickets. Firstly, 150 wickets is a very good number, it is not a small sample size."

Chopra further pointed out that the current rules of the ODI cricket have made it tough for spinners. Between 11 to 40 overs, when batters try to make the most of the middle overs, only four fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. 

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"Everyone says the spinner's role has slightly reduced in ODI cricket because there are three powerplays and it is very difficult to bowl in the middle overs as an extra fielder is within the circle and the batter gets set before the last 10 overs," Chopra said. 

"If we see the best strike rate for spinners in ODIs, Ajantha Mendis was the fastest to 150 wickets. 152 wickets in 84 innings (strike rate of 27.3) - outstanding. Then Sir Rashid Khan - 172 wickets in 89 innings. He has a strike rate of 27.8. Kuldeep Yadav - he is the third on the list in terms of strike rate."

Kuldeep Yadav has picked up a total of 150 wickets in 88 ODI matches at 25.64. He has two five-wicket hauls and seven four-fers to his name.