SA vs IND 2018: Communication is Very Good Between Me and Yuzvendra Chahal - Kuldeep Yadav

South Africa had no answer to Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s masterstrokes, as their 17-match unbeaten streak at home breathed its last.

Faf du Plessis took his team to a competitive score of 269/8 in their allotted 50 overs, all thanks to his gritty hundred against a strong Indian bowling line-up. The skipper hit two sixes and 11 boundaries en route to his 112-ball 120.

The hosts were in a spot of bother after the Indian wrist spinners- Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal run through the Proteas middle-order.

But the lower-order put up a brave fight, courtesy Chris Morris’ 37 and Andile Phehlukwayo’s 27. Kuldeep bagged figures of 3/34 while Chahal snapped 2/45. The target of 270 looked competitive until Kohli, and Rahane got going. A 189-run stand between the two ensured a 1-0 lead for the Indians in Durban on Thursday.

Having the Last Laugh

Kuldeep was smacked for a six by Chris Morris but he never gave up on his variations, and the bowler had the last laugh at the end.

“The wind carried the ball over the last time,” Kuldeep said. “I wanted him to play exactly that shot because the leg-side boundary was shorter. I bowled a top-spinner. I was looking for a top edge if he went for the shorter boundary at midwicket. It was a good ball, but he played a good shot.”

Risk it or Perish

The young spinner understood the situation wisely. Known as someone who would go for the kill, Kuldeep didn’t hold back from trying and taking the risk.

“There was a partnership going on,” Kuldeep said. “[Faf] du Plessis and Morris were playing well. If Morris had batted on for a few more overs, they could have reached 290 or even 300. At that time, we needed a wicket. I took the chance. I always think if I try to bowl to contain I will concede more runs.”

On Working with Chahal

On his rapport with Chahal, the chinaman said they get along well.

“There is a lot of understanding between us,” Kuldeep said. “We have been bowling for five years now together. We were together at Mumbai Indians as well. So there is a mutual understanding that is very good. Even when he bowls first in the match, we talk about how the wicket is behaving and whether it is turning or not, whether it is drifting and what the wind is doing. Communication is very important, and it is very good between us, and it gets easier if your partner is bowling to support and back you up.”

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