Late games are taxing before WC, says Kuldeep
kolkata — Kolkata Knight Riders’ spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who will be one of India’s major weapons in the 2019 World Cup, has accepted that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is taking a toll on the body, especially the late finishes. The chinaman bowler stressed that it is important to train smartly keeping in mind the quadrennial tournament that starts on May 30.
Almost all 8PM games are ending post midnight in this edition of the IPL. It is so taxing that Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni on Wednesday posted a photo on social media where he is sleeping on the floor of an airport in order to catch some sleep before they left for Rajasthan for their next game.
“It becomes very hectic (when matches gets over so late). You need to recover very well as in this competition, you need to play two matches in three days also at times. Then there is travel also. So it does take a toll on the body,” Kuldeep said.
“You need to maintain yourself, eat well and sleep well. With the World Cup just after the IPL, training is very important and how you are going about it. It’s a bit hectic but the players are smart and know how to manage (workload),” the chinaman bowler said.
Kuldeep will be key to India’s hopes of winning a third World Cup as the 24-year old has done exceedingly well in the 50-over format recently picking up 87 wickets in 44 matches so far.
Kuldeep also spoke on India skipper Virat Kohli who has been drawing flak as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore after his team failed to win their opening six matches.
“His records speak for himself. He is doing well individually, but the team is not winning. They are lacking team combination somewhere. This is a team game and if the team does well you will win,” Kuldeep said.
Asked whether RCB’s demoralising displays will affect him during India’s World Cup campaign, Kuldeep said Kohli plays at a different level altogether donning the India blue and the IPL showing is no cause of worry at all. —