edited by: Aditya Maheshwari
Last Update: January 13, 2023, 08:04 AM IST
Leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has credited the NCA coaches for his fitness as the left-handed left-handed batsman picked up three wickets in the second ODI against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens. Kuldeep got a chance in the playing XI on Thursday as Yuzvendra Chahal was ruled out due to a minor injury in the first match of the series. The 28-year-old grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he claimed three wickets in Sri Lanka’s middle-order collapse.
Kuldeep laid the groundwork for a four-wicket win India Towards an unassailable 2-0 series win.
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As he enjoys another ‘Player of the Match’ award, albeit in colorful clothes, all Kuldeep wants is a proper run for his 3/51 and 10 not out.
“I am happy with my performance. Whatever opportunities I get, I try to give my best and bring back my abilities. When you play, you have to focus, when you are not in the 11 So you can relax. At the moment, I am really enjoying my bowling,” Kuldeep said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
He broke the 73-run partnership between Nuwanidu Fernando and Kusal Mendis in his very first over, with the top spinner trapping the latter LBW. After this, when he was getting ready to play the sweep, he threw the ball at the legs of captain Dasun Shanaka. After this, Kuldeep caught Charith Aslanka from the dip and took a simple catch and bowled out.
Talking about the uncertainty surrounding his place in the XI, Kuldeep admitted that team composition is important, but added that he is ready to give his best for the team whenever opportunities arise.
“Although team composition is important, I don’t think too much about it, just focus on giving my best when the opportunity comes,” he added.
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The 28-year-old said that in IPL and T20 he pushes the ball a bit quicker and he did the same during the day.
He said, ‘I bowl fast in IPL and T20 so that the batsman can get one run. So I did just that here as well.”
Kuldeep said that the hard work he put in at NCA last year has helped him in the fitness aspect, which has enabled him to be more aggressive on the field.
“I have worked on my batting, I keep my focus on it whenever I don’t get a game. I have also worked a lot on my fitness in the last one year, all credit goes to the NCA coaches. It has helped me get into my rhythm and become more aggressive.”
He also talked about his camaraderie with Yuzvendra Chahal and said that the senior spinner keeps giving him valuable advice.
“Yuzi has always supported me, obviously he knew how the batsmen play because he played earlier games so he keeps giving me advice,” he concluded.
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