Learnt a lot from Ashwin and Jadeja, reveals Kuldeep
Kuldeep credits the help received from his senior partners Ashwin and Jadeja after his five-for.
After playing a pivotal role in restricting England to 218 by taking five for 72, Kuldeep Yadav was quick to acknowledge the contributions of seniors like R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja here.
Underplaying his efforts on the day, Kuldeep said, “I have been playing international cricket for seven years and I have played a lot with Ash and Jaddu bhai. In some series, there were not many opportunities (for me). I have learnt a lot from Ashwin and Jadeja. In Hyderabad, I had a long chat with Ash bhai and he told me the changes that I needed to make in terms of the mindset. He gives a lot of ideas and he’s a special player.”
Asked about him and Ashwin prompting each other to lead the team into the dressing room after England’s innings, Kuldeep said, “I wanted him to lead the team since it was his 100th Test. But Ash Bhai reminded me that he had 35 balls (with which he took five or more wickets in a Test innings) and told
me to keep walk on.”
Kuldeep once again underplayed his effort of becoming the fastest to get 50 Test wickets in terms of the deliveries bowled. “I don’t think too much about records because they are meant to be broken. You are playing for India and you only want to put your skills to test. A lot of players don’t get opportunities, so I am grateful and lucky to have played for the country. I always want to contribute to the team’s success.”
Earlier, England’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick admitted that his team did not put enough runs on the board. However, he did not miss the opportunity to sound rather brazen.
“We are a very unique side in how we go about things. I don’t think we will study what India does too much. We don’t get too down when we have bad days, we don’t get too high when we have good days.
“You just have to stay level and recognise what you can do better. Hopefully, we come back and improve,” he signed off.
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“Test cricket is the closest synergy that you can find to life.”
R. Ashwin’s voice trembled with emotion and pride during the gratitudespeech after receiving his special 100th Test cap from India head coach Rahul Dravid here on Thursday.
Ashwin did not restrict that landmark moment — which came during the fifth and final Test against England — to himself, but he championed the cause of Test cricket amidst moneyspinning T20 leagues.
“IPL has been a hugely popular tournament; a lot of kids want to play T20 and get into the IPL. I really do wish that they get there. But remember one thing, this format (Test)… it is in a lot of things that life wouldn’t teach you,” Ashwin said.
“I think Test cricket is what life is. It is the closest synergy that you can find to life. It will teach you to adapt, dealing with pressures.”
The 37yearold Ashwin, who made his Test debut in 2011, also paid tribute to his father — Ravichandran — for believing in him and supporting his journey.
“It’s quite an emotional moment. Not just not just for me. But today is a hugely emotional moment for a man who is sitting back in
Chennai. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it here,” Ashwin began before making a quick recollection of early days.
“The first day (as a kid), I still remember it very clearly, I would put my kit in front of the petrol tank, and then he would put me on the bike and take me to the coaching camp.
“A government employee (his dad) wanted to take his son all the way miles ahead in life, somewhere he imagined I would ever get. He got me here because of the help of my mom and, of course, my granddad,” he added.
His wife Preeti has been a big pillar of support for him in periods of struggles. “My wife didn’t know what she was getting into. She’s gotten into it and she’s standing next to me today. I have got two lovely kids who are also enjoying my journey over the last few years,” Ashwin said.
After handing Ashwin the cap, Dravid said it was a welldeserved moment for the Tamil Nadu cricketer.
“You have given everything faithfully to the team and today is your 100th Test. It was a journey that started from the streets of Chennai. It’s been a long and eventful journey. It wouldn’t have been possible without your family. Congratulations to them as well.”