Kuldeep Yadav says due to my bowling style, I don’t have switch-over problems

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Kuldeep Yadav says Yes, when you are bowling in Tests, you need more control and you have to earn your wicket as batters have a long time to get set and measure you up

Kuldeep, the left-arm wrist spinner, played a significant role in India’s strength in the ongoing opening Test against Bangladesh as he recorded a career-best 5 for 40 to collapse the hosts for a lowly 150 in their first essay.

Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist spinner, played a significant role in India’s strength in the ongoing opening Test against Bangladesh as he recorded a career-best 5 for 40 to collapse the hosts for a lowly 150 in their first essay. 

Having set an improbable target of 513, Kuldeep is confident that he along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel will be able to give his team a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

“Kahne ke liye toh do saal hain par mujhe kabhi feel hi nahi huwa (It might be nearly two years (22 months) but I never felt it that way,”

a smiling and seemingly content Kuldeep told media persons after his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket on Friday.

Kuldeep had knee surgery in 2021 just before the second phase of IPL in the UAE and was out for a considerable time before getting back in the game.

“If I wouldn’t have played any cricket post-injury, then it’s a struggle. But for last year, I have been continuously playing white-ball cricket and also played red-ball series against New Zealand (A series).

“I bowled long spells in that series. If you are with the team (national), then you don’t feel that pressure,”

said the 28-year-old Kanpur man, who now has 31 wickets in his 8th test.

While Kuldeep has played more white-ball cricket in the past 8-10 months, switching the format has never been an issue for him as wrist spin doesn’t rely upon the surface a lot.

“Due to my bowling style, I don’t have switch-over problems. Yes, when you are bowling in Tests, you need more control and you have to earn your wicket as batters have a long time to get set and measure you up,”

said Kuldeep.

“The field positions change, formations are different, and bowling one area consistently for long periods is another challenge.”

“I believe the pitch is perfect to bat on. It was really good to bat on even against spinners. Yes, some balls are keeping low and the odd ball turning. Me and Ash bhai (R Ashwin) were initially looking at first innings score of 360 but as time passed, batting became easier so we looked at a 400-run total.” 

Bowling pair with Ashwin and Axar Patel has been an “enjoyable experience” for Kuldeep as there is always relentless pressure from both ends which brings about forward leaps at customary span.

About the position of the match, Kuldeep feels that with 180 overs left across two days, the Indian team has sufficient opportunity to wrap it up.

“We are expecting more turn off the surface in the second innings compared to the first innings.”