How Kuldeep Yadav inspired GenNext Chinaman bowlers
NEW EXPERIENCE Set to play the third Test against Lanka, Kuldeep Yadav is looking to make the most of opportunity
PALLEKELE: When in rhythm, a wrist spinner can leave you enthralled. Kuldeep Yadav is its fine exponent, an example was his chinaman bowling in the first innings at Dharamsala in March against Australia. Yadav made an impact with a fourwicket match-winning burst. “When I started, hardly anyone used to bowl chinaman. Now if you look at any academy, you will get 10 bowlers bowling it. That’s one thing which has changed after my debut. When people recognise your skills, there’s no better feeling. I think we will see more of such spinners in the future in not only state and Ranji level but also at the international level,” said Yadav. Playing in the generation of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja means Yadav’s chances of making it to the 11 will be few and far between. But, after sitting out of the first two Tests against Sri Lanka, Yadav is in the running for the third game at Pallekele as a replacement for Jadeja, who is suspended. The chinaman bowler is obviously excited about the prospect of playing his first overseas Test, of getting another opportunity to impress his teammates and add to his fan following.
“Obviously there is excitement. I was excited to play my debut Test as well. So if I get a chance to play in Sri Lanka I will be very happy because I have been working hard and this will be a result of that. But there is also a bit of nervousness that I should be able to perform,” said Yadav, after India’s first training session on Wednesday.
The surroundings in Pallekele and Kandy will remind Yadav a little bit of his debut at Dharamsala, the town having similar pathways with steep climbs and slopes, the mountain peaks of the Knuckles Range in the backdrop. When India turned up for training, the wicket too looked one made for the pacers, with a good covering of grass.
“For me the wicket doesn’t matter. I don’t see the wicket at all. In my childhood, I used to bowl on cement wickets and there can be no better wickets than cement wickets. It is challenging because there is more bounce on grassy wickets and the ball skids a lot as well. The spinners get some advantage as well even if there is not much turn,” said Yadav.
Playing in Sri Lanka, the main challenge will come from the batsmen who are used to playing spin, rather than the conditions.
“I didn’t plan anything in particular but you do work a little bit on your mindset. Here wickets are a bit similar to Indian wickets. So you do have an idea how to bowl. Only the batsmen are a bit different in terms of their approach. Cricketers outside the sub-continent have a different approach to playing spin.”
After Sri Lanka’s success in the second innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in the second Test, Yadav can expect to be targeted with the sweep shot, which Kusal Mendis & Co executed very well.
“They played the sweep very well. It is difficult for spinners if the batsmen are playing the sweep so effectively. My plan will be to ensure they do not play the sweep too much. Playing sweep also means the batsmen will give a lot of chances. So if you plan well, it will be helpful.”