Last Updated: September 18, 2023, 18:03 IST
Kuldeep Yadav won player of the series award. (AFP Photo)
Kuldeep Yadav took 9 wickets from five matches including a match-winning five-wicket haul against Pakistan during Asia Cup 2023.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s career is on the upswing after going through a tough phase that saw him suffering a knee injury right when his form had deserted him in 2021. A surgery followed and he started reworking on his action the result of which is now evident as he produced a player-of-the-series award winning performance with India winning the Asia Cup 2023.
Kuldeep was told his slow pace makes it easy for a batter to deal with the turn and hence he worked on increasing, changed his approach to the crease while ensuring the quality that made his a threat remained untouched.
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“I have worked a lot (on the wrong’un) in the last one and a half years,” Kuldeep told his India teammate Mohammed Siraj during a chat on bcci.tv. “The rhythm is something that breaks off quite often and takes time to get it back. I’m lucky to have gained that rhythm back. It did take some time and wasn’t easy when I started it kept breaking, but now, it’s going smooth and aggressive, along with the pace; enjoying it a lot.”
When asked about his process before bowling, Kuldeep said, “I don’t think a lot; I just read the wicket. It’s very important for me to get the length right, and keep bowling at the good length.”
“I also read the batter, as to what shot is he trying to play. I have been efficiently using my wrong one and flipper crease and I’m gaining a lot of confidence from this rhythm,” he added.
Kuldeep was at his best during India’s Super 4 clash with Pakistan as he took a five-wicket haul and followed it with a four-fer against Sri Lanka. He was rested from the inconsequential Bangladesh fixture and in the final on Sunday, didn’t get to bowl enough with Siraj breathing fire.
Kuldeep has no qualms over not getting to bowl enough in the summit clash.
“I guess the way you (Siraj) bowled today, I’m glad that I did not have to bowl today. You deserve the six wicket. Also, if a team gets bowled out for 50, you always want the match to finish quickly, want to be part of the winning team,” Kuldeep said.
“It doesn’t matter whether I bowled or not. I did bowl in two (three) important matches, where I bowled well, and I am satisfied with it,” he added.
