For six long weeks during India’s recent five-Test tour of England, fans eagerly awaited Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist-spin, especially on the unusually dry pitches. However, the team’s strategy prioritized batting depth down to number eight, leaving the 30-year-old to a frustrating role of carrying drinks instead of showcasing his skills with the red Dukes ball.
That period must have been incredibly tough, but Kuldeep has since responded spectacularly in the Asia Cup, claiming seven wickets in just two matches and earning back-to-back Player-of-the-Match accolades. Ahead of India’s Group-A clash against Oman, Kuldeep openly discussed his challenging experience in England.
“Challenges are an inherent part of the game,” he explained. “Playing regularly helps you maintain your rhythm. But in England, given the pitch conditions and team balance, I simply couldn’t find a spot. Nevertheless, it presented a valuable opportunity to focus on self-improvement, enhance my fitness, and bowl extensively. These experiences teach you a great deal, especially when you’re not actively playing.”
Kuldeep emphasized the clear communication he received from head coach Gautam Gambhir regarding his consistent exclusion. “There were about three or four matches where I genuinely believed I could contribute, but it wasn’t to be. The team’s need for batting depth was paramount. Gambhir’s communication was incredibly direct and transparent. It’s often easy to assign blame, but it’s far more difficult to absorb feedback constructively and work on yourself,” he stated.
Recalling a significant technical adjustment from early 2022, Kuldeep mentioned, “I straightened my run-up and accelerated my approach to the crease to generate more airspeed.” When asked if a lack of regular play impacts these technical aspects, he confidently replied, “My rhythm feels perfectly established now. I initially faced considerable difficulty when making that change, but I’ve adapted to it completely.”