Kuldeep Yadav played his last Test match in 2019 against Australia in Sydney.
Indian bowler Kuldeep Yadav is optimistic about playing in the upcoming four-match Test series against England and said that playing a Test match after nearly two years would be similar to making a debut.
In the recently concluded Test series in Australia, Kuldeep Yadav was the only member of the original squad who did not make it to the Indian XI despite the visitors fielding 20 different cricketers during the four-match series.
However, despite being overlooked in Australia Kuldeep Yadav could finally get his chance in India's playing XI as hosts might play three spinners in sub-continent conditions where the pitches offer a lot more turn than anywhere else.
Kuldeep Yadav says he likes to “reflect on errors” when things don’t go his way
Addressing his chances of playing against England, Kuldeep Yadav said that playing a Test-match after two years would be similar to making a debut and added that even though he wants to contribute to the team, he understands that sometimes he will have to warm the bench.
"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. 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." Kuldeep Yadav told ESPNCricinfo.
Kuldeep Yadav, who played his last Test match in 2019 against Australia in Sydney, further said that his confidence will return when he plays regularly and has kept himself relaxed despite not playing cricket for a while.
"When you play regular cricket, the confidence comes automatically. If I play the first match, I will be in a better position to play the next game. Mentally I have kept myself very relaxed. Accordingly, my confidence level will be peaking. I have worked hard a lot. I feel that perhaps it is now my time to stand up for the team, to perform for the team. I am ready completely." he said.
Yadav, 26, also opened up about Ajinkya Rahane's motivating words after the victory in Brisbane.
"It is very important when your captain sees you work hard. It was very difficult for Rahane as well as the team management. But there was no difference in my process and my work. I believed in both. I felt really good about the words he said because if your captain is backing you and appreciating you, it counts a lot and motivates you very much,” he said.
Kuldeep Yadav further praised Ajinkya Rahane and team management and said that he never felt like he was sitting out.
"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 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" he concluded.
India is set to host England for the four-match Test series, the first of which be played on 5th February at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)