I don't like mystery, quality bowling is not mystery: Kuldeep Yadav

Indian chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav has become an overnight star in international cricket. Nowt many know that it has been a long journey that has taken him to the place where he is at the moment. Kuldeep recently became only the third Indian bowler to take an ODI hattrick in the history of the game. His feat came in India’s victorious cause in the second ODI against Australia.

Needless to say, his family and friends are proud of his achievement. And also, the man himself is very proud. As per the recent quotes in the Indian Express, Kuldeep Yadav spoke at length about his dreams and aspirations. He noted that he always had faith in his abilities and expected to play for India a lot earlier than he actually got his chance.

“Honestly, I expected to play for India earlier than I did. I always knew that the kind of performances I was giving, I was always confident about my prospects. I got a call in 2014 for the West Indies series, then I felt as if I have achieved everything. But unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to play in the first three ODIs, and then the series was abandoned,” said Kuldeep Yadav.

“Then I had to make a comeback from there. Had to do the hard yards in domestic cricket. It’s only now, three years later, that I have got back into the team. I feel I have lost out on a couple of years. Expectations thi ke main jaldi khel jaaun. But, as they say, time se pehle, aur kismat se zyada kuchh nahi milta,” he added.

On aspirations to become like Shane Warne

Time and again, in different interviews, Kuldeep has been very vocal in quoting Shane Warne as his role model. He recalled that the name of Warne was the biggest thing in world cricket when he had started playing. He mentioned that he aspires to become atleast some 20-30 per cent as good as Shane Warne. If that happens, he would be more than just happy.

“When I started, Shane Warne was the biggest name in spin bowling. My coach used to show me his videos and tell me that bowl like him. Copy him. He wanted me to release the ball as Warne would, drift and turn the ball as he would. Mera maksad abhi bhi ye hi hai ke 20, 30 per cent bhi Warne ki tarah ban gaya to samjho meri life safal ho gayi,” conceded Kuldeep.

He compared the game of cricket and poker. He also noted that he started playing poker since Shane Warne does it too. He feels the key to success is being street smart. If a person is too direct, then the batsman will run over him.

“I also play poker, like Warne though I am not as good. Started doing it in the IPL. Achhca khel hai, patte jitney der se khulte hain, utna maza hai. The thing is, you need to be street-smart. Agar aap seedhe-saade bane rahenge to batsman aapko dakaar jaayega. You need to be one step ahead of the batsmen, even when you are getting hit,” he conceded further.

No mystery, just quality

On being asked for his opinions on being the mystery spinner, Kuldeep Yadav rubbished these tags. He mentioned that mystery is when a person comes with an unusual action and then throws it somehow. In his case, he mentioned that he is more of quality. He has firm faith in his skills. He also added that even Sunil Narine is not a mystery. Key to success for him has been his variety.

“I don’t believe in mystery. Quality bowling is not mystery. Mystery to ye hoti ke ajeeb-o-gareeb action se ball phenk di. Mera action ekdum smooth hai, ball bohot achchhi nikalti hai. I don’t like this tag. If you are bowling quality balls, that’s the biggest mystery. Even Sunil Narine — you can’t say that he is mystery, he mixes up well, it’s his kalakaari. Shane Warne was not mystery, it was his skill, his quality. I prefer the word quality over mystery,” concluded Kuldeep Yadav.