With central government easing the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and allowing the resumption of sporting activities, India spinner Kuldeep Yadav has again started training seriously as he is bowling four hours daily and is striving hard to restrain his natural instinct of applying saliva on the ball.
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Kuldeep is doing all the hard yards at the local Rovers ground under the guidance of his childhood coach Kapil Pandey.
"I have started training at the Rovers ground in Lal Bangla area. In fact I am doing two sessions per day. In the morning from 7.30 to 9 am, I do my physical training. Then I go back home and comeback in the evening. From 4 pm to 8 pm, I am regularly bowling in the nets," Kuldeep, who hails from Kanpur, told PTI Bhasha during an interaction.
"It's only been a week that I have started outdoor training. All this while, I was at home maintaining social distancing norms. Now I believe within next few weeks, I would be ready for competitive cricket as and when it starts," he added.
In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, ICC Cricket Committee has recommended a ban on the traditional practice of using saliva to maintain the shine of the ball to avoid potential on-field viral spread.
Notably, the Anil Kumle-led committee did not allow the use of artificial substances as a substitute move.
For Kuldeep, the biggest concern is curbing the habit of using saliva.
"Look, since childhood, we have this habit of applying saliva on the ball to keep the shine. With new ICC rules in place, I am trying to get rid of the habit.
"I believe it needs to be imbibed in training sessions first. Hopefully, we will have some alternative in place," the 25-year-old said.
Asked which format he would like to play once cricket resumes, Kuldeep said T20 will be his choice.
"Once competitive cricket resumes, I would prefer playing IPL. That is in case normalcy returns," the wrist-spinner, who has played 6 Tests, 60 ODIs and 21 T20 Internationals for the country, stated.
(With PTI inputs)
