Kuldeep Yadav last played his international match at Sydney Cricket Ground in 2018-19 Australia tour. The young Indian left-arm spinner is struggling to get a place in playing 11 since then. India played 13 since then and also did a tour of Australia again. Recently, when created history in Australia, the spinner was part of the team but unfortunately couldn’t make it top the playing 11. With Ravindra Jadeja ruled out from the upcoming Test against England, the chances of Yadav increase to be the partner of Ravi Ashwin. In this interview, conducted during India’s six-day quarantine in Chennai, Yadav says he is now ready to make a comeback – one that will feel like a second Test debut.
On being asked about the experience in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy when he witnessed the history in making but failed to contribute more in that:
“It is very important when your captain sees you work hard. It was very difficult for [Rahane] as well as the team management [to leave me out of the side during the Australia Test series]. But there was no difference in my process and my work. I believed in both. I felt really good about the words he [Rahane] said because if your captain is backing you and appreciating you [when you are not on the side], it counts a lot and motivates you very much.
Both Ajju Bhai and the team management completely backed me and I never felt I was sitting out. From the support staff to Ravi Bhai [Shastri] to the captain, all kept a close watch on me. When you are not playing it is not easy for the team management to focus on the player who is sitting out [but they did it],” he replied.
Yadav picked his first-ever Test-wicket back in 2017 of David Warner and hugged the stand-in skipper of the Australia tour, Ajinkya Rahane.
“I remember. When you make your Test debut and you get your first wicket on the first day itself, it is a different feeling, a lot of emotions pour out. My journey started that day and since then I have had a good understanding with my captains and coaches and that is a good thing for me,” Kuldeep said.
Kuldeep Yadav last played Test in January 2019 and only 6 Tests since his debut, the chinaman bowler feels like debuting again against England as he is going to play Test cricket for almost after 2 years.
“I would be playing a Test match after nearly after two years, so it would be similar to making your debut. I want to perform for the team and give 100%, like always. You will naturally feel the same nervousness [as on debut]. There will also be pressure to do well. Everyone is watching you, expectations are big, and when the team is playing well, you want to contribute – big or small, put in the effort, and when you do that, your role is praised. When you don’t play you feel like, yes, you should be playing. But then for the sake of the team, you have to understand that you need to sit out,” added Yadav.
