‘It is a normal thing now’- Star India spinner Kuldeep Yadav speaks about being dropped from team India

Star India spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been phenomenal during the first ODI against West Indies. Kuldeep clinched four wickets by giving just six runs in three overs. For his amazing performance, he won the Man of the Match award and helped India win the game. Notably, the Player of the Match award is something that haunts Kuldeep.

In the past, whenever he has won, he has been dropped from the playing XI. The team had various reasons, but it felt unfair towards Kuldeep. However, speaking about the same, Kuldeep Yadav said that he is used to getting dropped because of conditions and team combinations. “Most of the time, when I don’t get to play, it is because of the situation and combination. It is a normal thing now. I have been playing cricket for so many years; it has been more than six years now. These things are normal,” he told reporters after the game.

“I don’t think much about taking wickets now. My focus is more on the process than on what length I should be bowling. Since the past one and a half years, when I have returned from the injury, I have tried to bowl on those good lengths. I want to be more consistent with the length, and as far as wickets are concerned, on some days you will get the wicket, while on others you won’t. The situation is also very important. I try my variations only when the opposition has lost four or five wickets quickly”, Kuldeep further added.

“The Kul-Cha has done well”- Kuldeep Yadav says about Yuzvendra Chahal

Further speaking about competition within the team and his relationship with Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep said that it only motivates him to do better. Kuldeep also said that Kul-Cha performed well as they supported each other. “Competition will always be there in the Indian cricket team, but it motivates you as well to do well, as you can’t take anything lightly. For me, the process is more important than performance”, he said.

“I have been working at the NCA by bowling on my length. When you get the opportunity, you try to make it count. We are pretty relaxed. We know that combination matters a lot. We have a good understanding. He helps me a lot when I am playing. He always wants me to do my best. At the same time, I also share my opinions when he gets the chance to play. The ‘Kul-Cha’ has been done well over the years because we support each other,” he further added.

When Kuldeep and his fellow leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal played together for a while, they combined for 135 wickets in 34 games. However, the pair have not played together in the last few years, with Kuldeep being favoured over Chahal in the first ODI against West Indies. Kuldeep has had a tremendous year, having taken 19 wickets in ODIs so far.