India wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav visited Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and paid tribute to his mentor and Australia legend late Shane Warne. Warne played a huge role in Kuldeep’s evolution as a wrist spinner.

“Shane Warne was my idol, and I had a very strong connection with him. I still get emotional when I think about Warnie—it feels like I’ve lost someone from my family,” Kuldeep said.

This is not the first Kuldeep has shared his emotions on Shane Warne’s demise.

“I was shocked to hear about his demise. I actually cried. I didn’t understand. It felt like someone close to me passed away. I was always in touch with him. I spoke with him 10 days before he died,” Kuldeep said in the latest episode of Breakfast with Champions YouTube show.

Kuldeep has had an amazing couple of years since returning from a knee injury, and revealed how Shane Warner's counsel helped him regain his rhythm and confidence.

“Ahead of the Sydney Test in 2019, I was a little nervous before the match. I used to meet him in the morning. He came to me and said, ‘I don’t know what you are going to bowl, but I want you to be happy on the ground. I will be watching you from the pavilion. It doesn’t matter how you bowl. Just do it with a smile,” Kuldeep stated.

Kuldeep’s visit to Melbourne also included a tour of the Cricket Australia (CA) headquarters.

“It’s great to be here at Cricket Australia’s headquarters and the iconic MCG. I’m looking forward to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and we’re anticipating a great cricket contest between Australia and India this year,” he said.

(Indian Express inputs)