"Why aren't we giving him the credit he deserves?" - Aakash Chopra lauds Team India bowler after IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Former India player Aakash Chopra has lauded Kuldeep Yadav for delivering a potent spell in the third ODI against South Africa. He wondered why the left-arm wrist-spinner doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Chopra registered figures of 4/41 in 10 overs as India bowled South Africa out for 270 in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6. The hosts then achieved the target with nine wickets and 10.1 overs to spare, thereby clinching the three-match series 2-1.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener claimed that Kuldeep is the best all-format spinner in the world and should be appreciated as much as Jasprit Bumrah.

"Whether you believe it or not, Kuldeep Yadav is the No. 1 spinner in the world across three formats. However, if you think attentively, you would say what I am saying is right. Firstly, very few spinners play all three formats. Someone is a white-ball spinner and someone is a red-ball spinner," Chopra said.

"Very few quality spinners are seen these days in any case, but Kuldeep Yadav is there. The way we celebrate Bumrah, we say there is no one like Jassi, he (Kuldeep) is also a generational talent. Why do we take him so lightly? Why aren't we giving him the credit he deserves? Think about it, guys. He is seriously talented," he added.

Kuldeep Yadav has picked up 76 wickets at an average of 22.42 in 17 Tests. While the 30-year-old has scalped 191 wickets at an economy rate of 5.02 in 114 ODI innings, he has accounted for 88 dismissals at an economy rate of 6.83 in 47 T20I innings.

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"When he picks up wickets, you definitely win the match" - Aakash Chopra on Kuldeep Yadav's match-defining spells in IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Kuldeep Yadav picked up nine wickets in the three-match ODI series against South Africa. [P/C: BCCI/X]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that India invariably win the game when Kuldeep Yadav is among the wickets.

"He is quality and does well in all three formats. When he played against the West Indies in Delhi, he became the Player of the Match. He picked up four wickets twice in this series. He was absolutely stellar. If you leave aside the second match, where he didn't pick up wickets, and you couldn't win the match, but when he picks up wickets, you definitely win the match," he said.

While highlighting Kuldeep's prowess across formats, the cricketer-turned-commentator reiterated that the potent spinner isn't recognized enough.

"If we talk about T20 cricket, with 17 wickets, he was the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup. He is stellar in all three formats, and I do feel that we don't appreciate, acknowledge, and celebrate him properly. It is our mistake," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra noted that Team India commits a mistake by not playing Kuldeep Yadav regularly in Tests. The analyst added that fans are also left scratching their heads when an atmosphere is created to drop him even in T20Is.