Kuldeep Yadav, who had been waiting in the wings throughout the group stage, resumed his role as a Super Eight specialist in India’s convincing victory over Bangladesh in Antigua, taking 3 for 19.
After taking 2 for 32 against Afghanistan on Thursday in Barbados, Kuldeep has now claimed five wickets in India’s two Super Eight games.
In the hope that the pitches in the Caribbean would better suit Kuldeep’s left-arm wristspin than those in the USA, India decided to hold him back for the competition. Even while he acknowledged that he was excited to participate in the group stages, he was aware that his expertise will be needed once he returned to the islands where he made his two India white-ball appearances during the 2017 West Indies tour.
“In the US, I was carrying the drinks and supporting my teammates.” That is more akin to having fun,” Kuldeep chuckled. “I wish I could have gone bowling there. However, it resembles an Australian wicket more. However, I debuted in both T20 and ODI cricket here in 2017. The only things I didn’t know was how long they were and how to change up my speed. So, coming here to bowl is ideal for spinners.”
Having a bowler play their first competitive games so late and at such a critical stage of a T20 World Cup is rare, even though there was good rationale to include Kuldeep in the side on Caribbean wickets. Playing in the event for the first time in the Super Eight level, Kuldeep claimed he didn’t feel any more pressure.
Playing every game and treating them like regular games is crucial. Naturally, there is a lot of pressure on us because we are playing at the Super Eight. In a few days, we’re going to play Australia. The last few games have also shown that the wickets are favorable to spinners. Nothing is altered. That was my strategy, and I have four overs left to bowl. Just being consistent throughout and changing my speed. It’s wonderful for me.”
Kuldeep, who was bowling in the middle phase, did not take a wicket in his first over but hit a wicket in each of his next three. His fizzing googly that jagged back in and cannoned into the front pad confused Tanzid Hasan, and he then foxed Towhid Hridoy with a straight one that smacked the back pad. Kuldeep sent another one up as a tempter after Shakib Al Hasan slog-swept a looping delivery for six, but the slower pace and extra bounce brought a top edge for a third wicket.
During his four overs, Kuldeep bowled from the Sir Andy Roberts End, which helped right-handers outside their off stump and left-handed batters striking into the wind on the leg-side. Although the strong cross breeze presented difficulties, he emphasized it was crucial to not overestimate its impact.
“As a spinner, it was challenging because my beat is more like a one-step and then aggressive rather than like a running rhythm. I only considered the length and ignored the wind. Additionally, it is evident that I am reading the batter what they anticipate from me and, just a step ahead of them, what they are thinking. They were clearly aiming for the windy side, so just keeping that in mind as you adjust the line and length and simply responding to their actions.
“Obviously, when they try to attack you, if you have a proper plan against them and you are bowling in probably the better length, you have maximum chances of getting the batter out. When the other team needs 10 runs or 12 runs per over and the batter is going against you, my plan is to just stick with the length.” That’s what I’m thinking, not that I need to get him out, just the duration.”
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