India spinner, Kuldeep Yadav has opened up about his changed bowling style in a recent interview.
After winning the game against Sri Lanka, Kuldeep said that he has started bowling more straight and has also ingrained aggression into his bowling.
India has also broken Sri Lanka’s 13 ODI match unbeaten streak by defeating them yesterday by 41 runs.
While chasing down a target of 214, the Lankan Lions looked well set for a victory but it was not to be as India’s bowlers got the better of the hosts.
After the match, Kuldeep gave some valuable insights into his bowling since his comeback from injury.
Back in 2021, Kuldeep suffered a knee injury during the IPL and it kept him outside for many months.
Says Kuldeep,
Of course, when I was injured, then our physio said that whatever happens, I should not have a load on my knee. I didn’t know how to do that. Two or three months passed, and I was recovering slowly. I started my run-up more quickly, and I did not cut my angle.
Adding further, he says,
Then slowly, I started thinking to bowl straight, and it was easier for me. I have become more aggressive, and my rhythm has become better. It did not come naturally; it took about 5-6 months. Sometimes in the IPL, I was breaking my rhythm, and I was missing my stepping, so it wasn’t easy.
Kuldeep talks about his gameplan against batters and the challenges during his recovery period
Talking further, Kuldeep mentioned that he faced quite a few challenges during his recovery period.
Furthermore, he also explained his game plan that he intends to use for both left and right-handers in games.
After 6-7 months, I got my proper rhythm, and now it has become easier to bowl. So we always talk about length, and the more a spinner bowls, the more experience he gets.
Adding further, he says,
So, I don’t think that much about getting a wicket now. I think more about how my length should be. I am focusing more on good length deliveries, whether it be a lefty or a righty. And along with that, the line matters as well. The way the white ball format is, the more room you give a batsman to free his arms, the easier it is for him to bat.
Kuldeep shares his thoughts on whether a team should have an off-spinner in the team or not and talks about the role of an off-spinner
Commenting further, Kuldeep highlighted the importance of an off-spinner in the team and whether the team should have one in the playing XI or not.
I do not think of myself as an off-spinner; I think of myself as a classic leg-spinner. The only thing is I bowl from the left hand. I have variations and a googly as well. So I do not think you need to have an off-spinner. If your team’s combination is sitting well, then you do not need to play 3-4 spinners. If you have two quality spinners, then I think that works.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep has become the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup after taking a fifer against Pakistan and now a four-for against Sri Lanka.
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