Kuldeep Yadav has established himself as one of India’s leading spinners in the last couple of years with consistent performances.
Kuldeep's form took a dip post the 2019 World Cup. He lost his confidence, especially during his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2020 and 2021 seasons. To make matters worse, he also suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery in September 2021.
As it turned, out, the left-arm wrist-spinner was released by KKR ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction, where Delhi Capitals got an opportunity to rope him in. Playing for the Delhi-based franchise turned out to be a game-changer for Kuldeep as he picked up 21 wickets from 14 IPL games last year.
Since then, Kuldeep hasn’t looked back. He played a key role in India’s Asia Cup triumph last year and was also instrumental in the team’s World Cup 2023 runners-up campaign.
In the ongoing Test series against England at home, Kuldeep Yadav has shown that he can be mighty effective in the longest format as well, claiming 12 wickets from three Tests to script India’s series victory.
In an exclusive chat with The Indian Express, ex-India bowling coach Bharat Arun recently recalled a fascinating exchange between Kuldeep and former head coach Ravi Shastri when the wrist-spinner was going through a lean patch.
"Boss, this puppy fat you have na has to be melted away. I can't think of a single reason with improved fitness that you won't become a world-class Test bowler," Arun recounted Shastri's words.
Arun feels that the torrid period served as an eye-opener and paved the way for Kuldeep Yadav’s re-emergence.
"Any bowler can bowl quicker – that was never the point. It had to be done without sacrificing turn, loop and dip. And it was always about the energy through the crease. The ultimate result is a visible increase in pace. Not the other way around. Not going there and firing the ball. None of us are idiots! It was about being patient and working hard," he added.
Another massive factor that the former bowling coach highlighted about Kuldeep Yadav is the improvement in his standard of fitness.
"How do you do that? Fitness certainly is a factor to bowl in Tests with that kind of energy. We always knew Kuldeep can deliver: Who can forget the ball he bowled in the 2019 World Cup to Babar Azam! How to sustain that through longer spells? When your release point's hand position is precise, you have a quicker arm speed. All the spinner's nuances can come through the wrist position," Arun pointed out.
"Now look at him, quicker arm-speed, that bustle through the crease, near-perfect hand position at release, and it's all going in the direction it ought to go – towards the batsman at the other end. With better fitness, his basics (of bowling action) taken care of, he is now actively channelling all his energy at the other end, trying to beat the man there," he elaborated.
