Ravi Shastri fat shamed Kuldeep Yadav claims Bharat Arun

Former Indian bowling coach under the regime of Ravi Shastri as the head coach, Bharat Arun revisited an incident between Shastri and Kuldeep Yadav during their time with the national team. Arun revealed that Shastri once told Kuldeep about his chubby outlook as the only thing restricting him from becoming a world-class bowler. Since then, the Chinaman went through turmoil but now he has sealed his spot in the Indian team.

Kuldeep Yadav had a bit of fat on his body, something that is sort of a vice for a sportsperson to have in this era. Despite him being India’s only wrist spinner at the moment, a couple of years ago, Kuldeep wasn’t even in the Indian Test squad. But since the turn of 2023, a revitalized Kuldeep is on display who has become one of India’s frontline spinner.

Bharat Arun revisits the conversation Ravi Shastri had with Kuldeep

In a recent interview, Bharat Arun went back to the days he was working hard with the national team. There he disclosed that Ravi Shastri had advised Kuldeep to melt his “Puppy fat”. Shastri told the Chinaman that if he attains full fitness and maintains it, then there are very few reasons as to why he cannot become a world-class bowler.

“Boss, this puppy fat you have na has to be melted away. I can’t think of a single reason with improved fitness that you won’t become a world-class Test bowler.” – Bharat Arun told Indian Express.

Since then, Kuldeep Yadav damaged his knee for which he underwent surgery and missed the entire 2021 IPL edition. Then after remaining on the sidelines for a couple of months, Kuldeep endured a hairline fracture on his wrist. He subsequently missed a few more months for that.

While he remained relevant in the white ball format, Kuldeep was finding it very tough to break into the Test side. After all, Test cricket is what well and truly defines the quality of a bowler. Before headlining the 5-match series against England last month, the 29-year-old hadn’t played any red-ball cricket on 14th December 2022.

His last appearance had come against Bangladesh and his revival in the ODI format is what led Rahul Dravid to call him up for the all-important Test series.

Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling has reached a new level, says Bharat Arun

Bharat Arun went on to mention the differences he has come across in Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling since he worked hard for his fitness. Arun noted that, Kuldeep now bowls with an increased arm speed along with a near-perfect point of release and that he now seems more focused on getting batters out.

“Now look at him, quicker arm speed, that bustle through the crease, near-perfect hand position at release, and it’s all going in the direction it ought to go – towards the batsman at the other end. With better fitness, his basics taken care of, he is now actively channeling all his energy at the other end, trying to beat the man there.” – Bharat Arun concluded.