Ricky Ponting backs Indian mystery spinner for T20 World Cup 2022

In a recently concluded IPL 2022, Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans best Rajasthan Royals in the final to win their first IPL trophy in their inaugural season. Soon after the completion of IPL India will play against South Africa in a 5 match T20I series. Team India squad was announced for this series against the proteas. Many fans were surprised to see that there was no Kuldeep Yadhav in the list.

The 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) gave Team India selectors a happy headache, as the league saw a number of players - both old and young - named for the T20 World Cup later this year. Ricky Ponting, a former Australia captain, had backed one of the improved India stars for the major event in Australia later this year.

Kuldeep Yadav was previously a key member of the Indian white-ball team in both formats. The leg-spin pair, along with Yuzvendra Chahal, had scared opposition batters with their amazing skill. However, Kuldeep's form had dipped in the last two years, and he had been discarded from both the Indian team and his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting said Kuldeep Yadhav was one of his main targets in the IPL Mega Auction for Delhi Capitals and Kuldeep Yadhav also brought up by Delhi Capitals in the Auction.

Ponting said that, "All of us worked closely with him. Shane Watson worked with him a lot on the mental aspect of the game, and he gave us some pretty outstanding results." Kuldeep was the best wicket-taker for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022, with 21 wickets in 13 games, and was a contender for the Purple Cap before finishing in the top-5.

As the T20 WC is soon approaching it is very unlikely that Kuldeep Yadhav will be picked in Australian conditions. India will most probably go with Ravidra Jadeja , Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal. India will be playing their first game against Pakistan at MCG.