‘Kuldeep doesn’t need protection’
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir believes playing in the Indian Premier League will not harm team-mate Kuldeep Yadav’s progress as a cricketer.
Following the chinaman bowler’s dream debut in the fourth Test against Australia in Dharamsala. Gambhir said that the Uttar Pradesh cricketer would be full of confidence going into the T20 tournament.
“I am very happy for him and would love to see him playing all three formats of the game. I am sure his progress in Dharamsala will give the momentum, which he will get into IPL this season,” Gambhir told PTI.
Asked if Kuldeep needed to be preserved from the fast-paced IPL, Gambhir said, “I don’t think so. Pressure makes you a better human being and cricketer as well. What is the point in having talent and not testing it in different circumstances or across different formats?”
According to the 58-Test veteran, Kuldeep should emulate the likes of Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, who played Tests with distinction but held their own in T20s as well.
“Anil bhai was a rare breed, so was Sehwag, Yuvraj, Tendulkar, Virat — these cricketers don’t need any protection. They needed a challenge.” Gambhir hinted that Yadav was in the reckoning for a first team spot alongside overseas spinners Shakib al-Hasan and Sunil Narine.
“I hope he can finish the tournament with the Purple Cap (given to the highest wicket-taker in IPL). Need I say more,” Gambhir asked. Yadav has played 27 T20 matches so far, including matches in IPL and the Syed Mushtaq Ali national T20 tournament for UP, claiming 37 wickets.