The 30-year-old India National Cricket Team left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has shared his thoughts on facing the England National Cricket Team in a high-octane five-match Test series.
Kuldeep Yadav said that Team England always play an attacking brand of cricket, and one cannot relax or lose focus any time during the matches.
Kuldeep Yadav is likely to feature in India XI regularly in England
Since making his debut for Team India in 2017, Kuldeep Yadav has featured in 166 international matches across all three formats of the game. He has bagged 306 wickets in his international career at an average of 22.86, an economy of 4.82, and a strike rate of 28.4.
Surprisingly enough, Kuldeep has played just 13 Test matches for India and bowled 348.5 overs despite being the premier spinner of the side. He has picked up 56 wickets in those matches at an average of 22.16, an economy of 3.55, and a strike rate of 37.3.
Kuldeep has played most of his Test matches (6) against the England National Cricket Team and has gotten 21 wickets with the best bowling figures in the match of 7/112. In England, he has played just one match where he went wicketless.
However, this time around, in the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin, there is a high possibility of Kuldeep regularly featuring in the India playing XI in the five-match Test series against England.
No, I do not feel any pressure – Kuldeep Yadav
In an interview with Boria Majumdar on RevSportz ahead of the series, Kuldeep was asked if he is facing extra pressure because of being called the X-factor of India for the England series by many experts.
Kuldeep replied by saying that he isn’t under pressure because of receiving the X-factor tag, but emphasized on staying focused during the series to get results in his favor.
“(Laughs). No, I do not feel any pressure as I feel it is not something that one should take pressure for. I think if one gets a good opportunity and gives their best, then it is a done job there. I have played against England last year, and have the idea about their playing style,” Kuldeep Yadav said.
“The only thing is that one has to be very alert all the time and stay focused. Unlike other teams, with England team, one cannot relax and play defensive. England bat in a very aggressive manner so one has to very much be in the game and plan your overs accordingly. I learnt a lot about fielding playing that England series, so will hope to apply those learnings this time in England. And most importantly, enjoy my bowling as that is what gets you wickets,” he added.
I have confidence in my defence – Kuldeep Yadav
During the same interaction, Kuldeep Yadav said that he has worked a lot on his batting and is confident of delivering with the bat whenever his team needs. He said:
“I have confidence in my defence and technique with the red ball, and I’m definitely looking forward to spend more time at the wicket and add whatever runs I can to the scoreboard.
“There’s all the time in Test cricket, so I would hope to at least just stay down there and not lose my wicket. I had a good stint last series against England so I am keeping my preparation in place. For, if I must bat, then I should be able to handle the pressure of the first two overs and stick on after that as well.”
