Team India outshinned the South Africans in their own land and that was mainly because of their lethal bowling attack. While the overseas pitches were meant to assist the pacers, Indian spinners tricked the South Africans with their guile on those picthes.
Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav proved his worth in the rainbow nation, by picking 17 wickets in the 6-match ODI series and helped India to seal the series with 5-1. His best performance came in the third ODI where he picked 4/23, as India bundled out South Africa on 179 defending 303.
Kuldeep, while talking to India TV, said he had a good time bowling in South Africa. "I enjoyed bowling in South Africa. In fact, I had more fun on the Proteas wickets than India's as the wickets have bounce, sharp turns and which wasn't easy for the batsmen to face on a backfoot," said Kuldeep.
According to the 23-year-old, his debut tour to South Africa made him a bit nervous. Though, he was excited to play at the same time. Kuldeep revealed his bowling partner Yuzvendra Chahal helped him to understand the pitch better.
"I was nervous yet excited at the same time as we didn't get much to learn on the practice wicket and Chahal told me later during the match that the wicket has a sharp turn. I immediately knew where to bowl. I kept my length and had the first good over on the South Africa wicket, which I highly enjoyed. India's wicket is slower and the batsmen know how to counter those deliveries, I had enjoyed the South African wicket more".
Kuldeep was amazed with the atmosphere in the third Test between India and South Africa. The spinner said it was the best Test he has ever witnessed.
"We were present at the time when Team India were playing in the New Wanderers and the atmosphere was spectacular. The way the team fought back was unbelievable. Despite the controversies that surrounded the wicket conditions, the team was calm and composed. The fighting spirit inspired us, and I could say that it is one of the best Test matches I have ever witnessed in my entire life," Kuldeep said.
Kuldeep was impressed with Kohli's leadership skills. India were 2-0 down before going in the third Test, which they eventually won. "We were motivated by their performance. Virat bhai always tells us that now that we have come here, we have come to win," he said.
The T20I series was a neck-to-neck encounter. The series was decided in the final ODI. Kuldeep shared what the Team India head coach Ravi Shastri had to say before the series decider.
"Shastri told us to enjoy the last three hours of the tour. The atmosphere was normal, and we didn't even know that Kohli was injured during the 3rd T20I and we weren't that affected. It was a shock, but Rohit was there to handle the situation," he added.
Kuldeep is confident of beating Australia and England in their home. "It was my first overseas tour and it was the best for me. We played very well. We'll go and defeat England and Australia as well."
Kuldeep was rested from the 2018 Nidahas Trophy because of a thumb injury. His next destination will be the IPL 2018, where he will play under Dinesh Karthik for Kolkata Knight Riders.
