Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball for India on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test match against England in Dharamsala on Thursday (March 7).
Opting to bat first, the visitors were placed at 100/1 but Kuldeep ran through their batting line-up in the second session. The wrist-spinner returned with a five-wicket haul (5/72), helping India bundle out England for 218 in the first innings.
Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes were his victims as Kuldeep took his wickets tally to 17 across four Tests in the series.
After the first day’s play in Dharamsala, Kuldeep Yadav expressed delight that the hard work and extra effort he put in following the knee surgery in 2021 is finally paying off.
“I am enjoying my game. To be honest I put a lot of hard work after my surgery in 2021. It’s just the reward I am getting now. I worked on my pace, it’s very important when you play a Test match in India. I am just enjoying my bowling,” Kuldeep told host broadcasters Sports18.
After England’s innings folded, Kuldeep handed the match ball to Ashwin, who is making his 100th Test appearance in Dharamsala. However, the veteran off-spinner, who took four wickets in the first essay, returned the ball to his younger teammate and asked him to lead the side off the field.
Commenting on Ashwin’s gesture, Kuldeep said: “He (Ashwin) is very kind and humble. Playing the 100th test for India is unbelievable. Lovely to have him around. I thought he deserved that (match ball to lead the side off the field). He said the same thing - I have 35, you keep this one.”
“Ash (Ashwin) bhai says a few things on the field, gives a few ideas,” he added.
Kuldeep produced a peach of a delivery to get rid of Zak Crawley (79) and said that he really enjoyed taking the England openers’ wicket.
“I liked the Zak Crawley wicket. He batted really well throughout the series, good player of spin. It’s important not to think about the wicket and I am someone who relies on my skill and variation in length. Not to think about what the wicket is going to produce. Just focus on the areas,” he remarked.
Kuldeep also picked up the prized scalp of Ben Stokes (0) with a googly as the England captain was trapped in front of the wicket.
“Ben Stokes, I thought, isn’t picking the wrong ‘un and that’s a good thing for me. In general just keep it simple and focus on the areas.
“I am sure they are picking but the pace at which I bowl is the main thing. I think they understand what I am bowling but if they are not picking then good for me. It’s (his bowling art) not magic, I have been bowling for a few years now. I hardly bowled the wrong ‘un this game, probably 10 odd balls,” Kuldeep said while reflecting on the dismissal of Stokes.
Coming to the match, India ended the opening day on 135/1, trailing England by just 83 runs with nine wickets in hand. Rohit Sharma (52*) and Shubman Gill (26*) were unbeaten in the middle at the close of play.
