Virat And Ravi Bhai Also Keep Talking To Me Regularly: Kuldeep Yadav

Indian leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has undergone a consistent slump in his fortunes in the past 20-24 months.

Having made his debut in 2017, the only Indian bowler to claim two ODI hat tricks, Kuldeep Yadav was tipped as the next big thing in Indian cricket as his pairing with Yuzvendra Chahal quickly became one of the most lethal duos in white-ball cricket.

But with the duo not boasting of any ability with the bat coupled with the return of Ravindra Jadeja to white-ball squads in late 2018, paved the way for the Indian think-tank to break the pair and started playing either of them alongside Jadeja.

Recently, Yuzvendra Chahal admitted that the comeback of Ravindra Jadeja in the white-ball squad broke his pairing with Kuldeep Yadav.

In a recent interview with CricTracker, Kuldeep Yadav was asked about the same where the leg-spinner admitted that it’s tough for the management to play both of them given the three-dimensional nature of Jadeja’s skillsets.

“Yes, it depends on what the team wants. Team combination matters a lot and I personally feel Jadeja brings a lot of depth in the batting. He scores both with bat and ball. So, it is always tough to choose between him and us,” he added.

 

‘Team management has been very supportive in these times’- Kuldeep Yadav

But, it would be wrong to say that Kuldeep has lost his place in the Indian team just because Jadeja offers a varied skill set.

Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling has undergone a massive decline in the last 20-24 months and his confidence has further been dented because of the lack of game time both at KKR as well for Team India.

KKR and the Indian team management haven’t shown enough trust in Kuldeep in the last two years and the ‘Chinaman’ has more often than not found himself warming the bench.

Kuldeep admits that he should be playing more games in order to regain his rhythm besides adding that it is difficult to put up performances when one doesn’t play consistently.

He, however, refused to blame the team management, stating that the Ravi Shastri-Virat Kohli-led think-tank has always been emphatic in lending their support to the young spinner.

”I just think I should be playing more games because when you don’t do that, you tend to lack both rhythm and confidence. While being in regular touch, you are always high. Yes, the last two years were difficult and very different for me. I didn’t get a chance due to the team combination and sometimes you need to sacrifice your spot as well. However some games didn’t go in my favour but you always need to work hard and keep the momentum going, your time will probably come,” said Rishabh Pant.

”Team management has been very supportive in these times. The best thing is that they always tell me about things happening in the team or what they want right now. Virat and Ravi Bhai also keep talking to me regularly and tell me the things needed in the match. Bharat Arun has also been supportive alongside management,” he added.

Also Read: If I Don’t Get This Right, I Won’t Play Any Cricket: Jofra Archer Provides An Honest Assessment On His Potential Return