KKR bowler Kuldeep Yadav: The chinaman bowler hailed former captain Gautam Gambhir and claimed IPL to be the toughest league.
Having made his Indian Premier League debut in 2016, India chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has went on to become a regular for Kolkata Knight Riders in three-year IPL career. Yadav’s progress at KKR can be assessed from the fact that he has played three, 12 and 16 matches from 2016 to 2018 respectively.
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In a recent interview with Sportskeeda, Kuldeep Yadav was wax lyrical about former India opening batsman and Kolkata Knight Riders captain player Gautam Gambhir. It was under Gambhir that Yadav made his IPL debut as a 21-year old cricketer.
“Amazing player! He [Gautam Gambhir] was brilliant when he was leading the KKR team. He was the one who always backed the youngsters,” Kuldeep was quoted as saying.
Yadav continually laid emphasis on how Gambhir suggested him to keep focusing on the basics and ensured him that he will give him chances for KKR one day.
ALSO READ: Kuldeep Yadav opens up on replacing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja
“He was the one who told me, ‘Tera time aayega khelne ka’ (Your time will come to play). You’re bowling really well, just keep focusing on small things and stick to the basics. Don’t try too much. ‘Tera time aayega, tu khelega. Main khilaunga tujhe’ (Your time will come, you’ll play. I will give you a chance)” Yadav was quoted as saying.
“Gambhir has been unbelievable for KKR”
In the latest release of BCCI’s list of contracted players, Kuldeep Yadav received a promotion from Grade B to Grade A. With him playing for India across formats now, the jump was bound to happen.
Yadav didn’t hesitate in admitting that it was Gambhir who always backed him at KKR and that he has improved considerable under retired cricketer.
“He has always been there for me. What he has done for Kolkata Knight Riders is unbelievable. He always backed me, even in the nets, he used to keep telling me how I was bowling, how the batsman was reacting and what to bowl. I improved considerably from there,” Yadav added.
ALSO READ: Kuldeep Yadav admits not bowling well during Lord’s Test last year
During India’s tour of Australia in December-January, Yadav had got a chance to meet his idol in legendary spinner Shane Warne. “He told me to just keep smiling, because if you smile you are releasing all the pressure and nervousness. It’s a small but very important thing,” Yadav disclosed regarding what Warne advised him in Australia.
“IPL is the toughest league”
Almost into his fourth IPL season now, Yadav claimed the tournament to be the most toughest that he has played in. However, he considered playing IPL before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 as good signs for himself.
“IPL is totally different, it’s the toughest league I have played in. You tend to be under pressure in some situations. It will always be challenging, and it will be good to play it before the World Cup,” Yadav concluded.
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