Watching Kohli perform the 12th man duties inspired me: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav is all set to torment the bowlers with his bag of tricks in the IPL after a successful Test debut at Dharamsala.

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Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo Source: Twitter)

India’s new spin sensation: Kuldeep Yadav is all smiling after having a dream debut in Test cricket. Picked to play the final and deciding Test match at Dharamsala, Yadav responded well to the challenge returning with 4/68 in the first innings. It is because of his spell, the tide turned in India’s favor as Australia were bundled out for 300 runs after cruising at one stage with the score of 144-1.

Kuldeep, who plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, arrived in Kolkata on Sunday after attending a party organized by his family in hometown Kanpur. The chinaman bowler was first fast-tracked into the Indian team when he delivered outstanding performances for KKR in the Champions League 2014. Though, he didn’t win a single cap as he warmed the bench, being a part of the Indian set-up must have been a good learning curve for a bowler as young as Kuldeep. When asked about his success at the Test level, Kuldeep played it down by saying that he has just played one game and can’t be judged on such a small sample size. “I have just entered a step in the highest level of the game. There are miles to go before I say that I have succeeded” said the 22-year old.

Kuldeep, who idolizes the great Shane Warne, bamboozled the Aussies with his bag of tricks and was quickly labeled as a ‘mystery’ bowler; a tag he isn’t fond of. “I am not like that. I am a bowler who tries to follow the basics. You may call me a mystery spinner. But before behaving mysterious with the ball I must have to be accurate in maintaining the line and length. I believe in that philosophy.”

The Kanpur-lad showered heaps of praises on India’s Test captain Virat Kohli. The 28-year old, who forcefully sat down in the final Test due to an injured shoulder, surprised many –including Kuldeep – when he performed the 12th man duties in the Dharamsala Test. “Unless I had not watched Kohli’s movement off the field, I would not have believed the myth that Virat bhai had united the team alone with such tremendous spirit. I could not believe that a captain and batsman with that stature and fame, was coming into the field, carrying drinks for us in the break. He himself set the example of team spirit and after having watched him personally I now want to work harder.

Yadav added, “Not only that, after I got into the squad, replacing captain himself, Virat bhai patted on my back and after the end of the Test he hugged me for my performance. But at the same time, he advised me not to flow out of emotions. It will make me complacent. I am truly indebted to him.”

Kuldeep Yadav managed to win just 3 caps for KKR last season. He is a different bowler now and will get a lot more opportunities to showcase his talents. KKR start their season in an away game against Gujarat Lions on April 7.

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