Kuldeep Yadav says basics went off as he faltered last IPL season

Kuldeep struggled for wickets throughout IPL 2019 for Kolkata Knight Riders.

By Kashish Chadha - 26 Apr, 2020

Kuldeep Yadav put struggles during last year's edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) down to him "lacking in the basics" after playing too much cricket in the season leading upto the annual T20 event. 

He picked up only four wickets across nine innings and went for runs at an expensive economy rate of 8.66. 

But having learnt his lessons, the wrist-spinner said he was "100 per cent sure of success" playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the league's 13th edition this season, which unfortunately remains under suspension due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Read Also: Kuldeep Yadav talks about influence of Gautam Gambhir, Wasim Akram on him at KKR  

"I was fully prepared for this IPL 2020 and I had planned a lot. I was 100 percent sure that this IPL would be a success," Kuldeep was quoted as saying in a podcast for KKR. 

"When I came into IPL, I didn't give myself enough time to train. The biggest learning from 2019 was that I did not plan for the season (properly)."

"There was a lot of cricket in 2019, especially international cricket. I joined the team just three days before the IPL started. So the planning wasn't good. The involvement wasn't good either. And that is very important," he added. 

"I don't think the last IPL was all that bad for me. I bowled very well. But a leg-spinner's success is based on the number of wickets he picks. I didn't manage to pick many wickets, but my economy was good."

Lack of wickets did dent Kuldeep's confidence, as he then endured a poor ODI World Cup campaign for India in UK, claiming only 6 scalps in seven innings at an average of 56.17. 

"When you don't pick wickets your confidence drops a bit. Then there was a game where I went for a lot of runs. So my confidence level dropped," he admitted. 

"I was lacking in the basics. Playing a lot of cricket affects your basics. If you are in regular touch with your coach then your basics won't be affected."

(Inputs from PTI)

By Kashish Chadha - 26 Apr, 2020

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