‘I miss bowling, can’t wait to spin again’
Alot of matches were in the pipeline, such as the Indian Premiere League, T20 World Cup and one-day internationals. But it is on hold because of the current situation,” says cricketer Kuldeep Yadav. Though the lockdown has upset the apple cart, Yadav says “safety comes first”. He shares, “We were busy with training and net sessions before the pandemic broke out. We’re all geared to get back to playing, but we need to be safe and sound [first].”
The spinner reveals that he has gone back to his old hobby. “Painting is something I did as a child. I’ve picked up the brush again during the lockdown. I’ve created some art and put it on my digital platforms. It’s nice to get appreciation for it,” Yadav, 25, says. Talking about spending quality time with his family in his home town, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), he adds, “It’s a delight to spend time with family. It has been over two months of bonding with each other. But we are waiting to get back to our respective professions.”
So what does he miss the most about cricket? “I don’t have an outdoor field and I miss bowling the most. I can’t wait to start spinning,” says Yadav. He, however, has found ways to stay motivated. “I stay in touch with my coach. We discuss matches, analyse my skills... He shares his experiences and that’s helping me improve,” he says, adding, “Our association also arranges calls with the state team and that’s the best way to motivate each other.”
Unable to train outdoors, he has modified his fitness regime. “I’m doing indoor training as suggested by my trainer and keeping a check on my diet,” he adds.