Kolkata, West Bengal: Young spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who is in awe of captain Virat Kohli’s leadership skills recently said that he wouldn’t have been successful if skipper Virat Kohli had not given him the chance to attack.
“You need a skipper who backs you and believes in your ability to shine on the big stage. You think we could have been so successful if Kohli bhai had not given us the freedom to attack? I don’t think so,” Kuldeep said.
Yadav, 24, says he is all set to give a spectacular performance in the upcoming Cricket World Cup beginning from May 30, putting behind the IPL disappointment.
“IPL is very different than World Cup. There are players who have done well in IPL but have struggled to make a mark for the country. I’ve matured as a bowler and by no means it will affect my performance in the World Cup,” Kuldeep said.
“It’s (T20) such a format, you may have a bad day where you’re hit for runs. I’m not a magician who will do well in every match. You cannot say I will take so many wickets.”
By his own standard, an average of 71.50 in IPL is something he would look to forget.
“If I’m not getting wickets it does not mean I’m not bowling well. Now I play as a mature cricketer and think more about the team,” Kuldeep said.
Kuldeep also spoke about the recent controversy about his comments on Mahendra Singh Dhoni that sometimes the former skipper “goes wrong” with his tips.
“How can a youngster like me make such comments on a senior member of the side? My comments had been misinterpreted by media to create a controversy,” he said.
“There is no doubt that his tips have been invaluable not only for me but for the entire team. His presence behind the stumps makes our job easy and nobody can change that fact. We wouldn’t have been half as effective without his inputs.”
Andre Russell was a killer in the IPL with his batting skills that single-handedly turned KKR’s fortunes before they failed to make the playoffs.
Kuldeep also revealed about the “tricks” he has learnt which he would employ against the West Indian in the World cup.
“He has some problems facing a turning ball. If the ball is turning, then he has a weakness. It’s not just this, I’ve different plans to unleash against him in the World Cup. I know how to stop him and I’m very clear in my mind,” he signed off.
(With inputs from PTI)
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