New Zealand vs India 2019: Familiarity With Conditions in New Zealand Will Help Me: Siddarth Kaul

Indian National Cricket team fast bowler has earned a national call-up in the T20I series against New Zealand as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who give this series a miss to manage his workload.

Meanwhile, Kaul struggled to make a mark in his debut series against England last year. He went wicketless in the two matches he played. But the tide turned during the India A’s tour of New Zealand in December, and in three ODIs, Siddarth Kaul bagged seven wickets in three games against New Zealand A. He will have one more opportunity to impress the selectors in the three-match T20I series.

“When I was there in December with India A, I had picked up seven wickets in three matches. Knowing the conditions well will help me embrace the challenge. I follow my preparation routine to be ready to give my 100 percent whenever I get a chance. I always like to give my best,” Kaul told Times of India.

Zaheer Khan taught me the toe-crushers

Siddarth Kaul was also in the Asia Cup but played only one game against Afghanistan where he remained wicketless. He returned to Mumbai to work in close quarters with none other than Zaheer Khan. And following fruitful sessions with the former India bowler, Kaul emerged rejuvenated and with a more positive frame of mind. Kaul also added that he also try to pick the brains of Ashish Nehra.

“During the Asia Cup, Rohit Sharma advised me to go to Zak Pa. The legend has truckloads of experience of bowling on overseas wickets. Just 15 days with him in Mumbai made a huge difference to my bowling,” Kaul said.

“For the first four days, he made me bowl only yorkers. I could always bowl in the block hole, but he taught me the pinpoint execution of a toe-crusher. Apart from yorker, we also worked on the knuckle ball and a couple of more variations. The Zak magic has given me a fresh mindset. I also pick the brains of Ashish Nehra regularly,” he added.

Ready to step up for the World Cup

Although the Indian team looks pretty settled for the ICC World Cup in England and Wales but MSK Prasad recently noted that spots are still up for grabs. Siddarth Kaul added that he is ready to step up if an opportunity comes his way.

“I want to throw my hat in the ring. Every cricketer dreams of playing in the World Cup. I have heard so many stories from Yuvi Pa (Yuvraj Singh) and Bhajju Pa (Harbhajan Singh) about India’s World Cup triumphs of 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI). I am a firm believer in the process. My first task is to do well in New Zealand. It’s your performance that should talk,” Kaul concluded.