Kuldeep Yadav — India’s first notable chinaman bowler — is only 22, but it is hard to intimidate him. Australia opener David Warner, who is known for bullying world-class bowlers, is his bunny these days.
The destructive southpaw has been failing to read his tweaks and the Uttar Pradesh lad couldn’t be happier. “He probably approaches me with a bit of pressure. If a bowler knows a batsman is shaky against him, he will try to get the batter out early in the innings,” he said, on the eve of the second ODI between India and Australia here at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
Warner, who looked set (batting on 25 then) in the rain truncated game in Chennai on Sunday, edged a Kuldeep missile to Dhoni’s gloves, leaving Australia in tatters.
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“There is no pressure on me, I enjoy bowling to Warner. I have a set plan against him and that’s what I will follow,” said Kuldeep, who got Warner four out of six attempts in his career so far.
However, he believes Steve Smith is the toughest Australian batsman to bowl to. “He reads a bowler very well and knows how to steal singles. He prefers to play on the leg stump. When he plays his shots, it gets tough to plan against him,” he added.
Kuldeep credited Kolkata Knight Riders for his ascension as a frontline spinner in the Indian team today. “It was an experience to rub shoulders alongside Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine and Brad Hogg. I have discussed a lot of strategies with them, espcially PC (Chawla) bhai , who was with me in Ranji Trophy also. When seniors guide youngsters, it becomes easier to plot against batsmen,” said Kuldeep, who feels India can expose Australia in the second rubber too, if it removes their starry top order which includes Warner and Smith. “The plan will be to get Warner and Smith early, as they are game changers.”
Kuldeep's Press meet
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With Ravichandran Ashwin rested for the first three ODIs, the responsibility is on Kuldeep and Chahal to spearhead India’s spin department. The duo didn’t disappoint in the first ODI in Chennai, where they dismissed five Australian batsmen. While Chahal picked up three wickets (that of Matthew Wade, Glen Maxwell and Pat Cummins), Kuldeep settled for two (Marcus Stoinis and the precious wicket of Warner upfront). “We are young and the responsibility is definitely more, but it is a good experience for the both of us. If we do well now, it will become easier in the future. We should form a bowling partnership and learn as it comes. A bowler matures series by series,” he pointed.
Kuldeep also believes that two leg spinners strengthens the bowling department in any team. “There is a better chance to get a wicket. Wrist spinners have the quality to deceive batsmen and opportunities widen,” he signed off.
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