Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been performing exceptionally well recently and he once again played a huge role in Men in Blue’s win in the 2nd ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Kolkata. India came into this match with a lead of 1-0 in the three-match series.
Sri Lanka batted first after winning the toss and was restricted to just 215 runs in 39.4 overs by Indian bowlers. Debutant Nuwanidu Fernando made 50 while Kusal Mendis (34) and Dunith Wellalage (32) were the other contributors.
For India, Mohammed Siraj picked 3/30 in 5.4 overs, while Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball with 3/51 in 10 overs.
Kuldeep picked the wickets of a well-set Kusal Mendis, and then caught and bowled the dangerous Charith Asalanka for 12 runs.
However, his biggest scalp was that of the Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, who was fresh off an unbeaten century in the 1st ODI and could only manage 2 runs before being bowled behind his legs by Kuldeep.
The left-hander then also contributed with the bat as he scored 10* in 10 balls and hit the winning runs after KL Rahul (64*), Hardik Pandya (36), and Shreyas Iyer (28) had held the innings together on a difficult pitch to chase.
Kuldeep Yadav was lauded for his performance and deservedly for the Player of the Match award for breaking the spine of the Sri Lankan middle order.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, he said: “I’m happy with my performance. Whatever opportunities I get, I try to do my best and back my abilities. When you play, you have to be focused while you can be relaxed when you aren’t in the 11. At the moment, I’m really enjoying my bowling. However, team combinations are important, I don’t think too much about it, just focused on doing my best when the chances come. You need to keep innovating, you can’t keep bowling at the same pace.
I’ve worked on my batting, I keep my focus on that whenever I don’t get a game. In the last one year, I’ve worked a lot also on my fitness, all credit to the NCA coaches. It has helped me get into a rhythm and be more aggressive. Yuzi has always supported me, obviously he knew how the batters play having played the earlier games so he keeps advising me.”
The third and final ODI will be played on January 15, Sunday at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
(Star Sports inputs)
