PUNE: The Indian Premier League has seen it’s fair share of feel-good stories. But for young Kuldeep Yadav, the domestic season has been the main reason behind his fairytale journey so far. He played an entire domestic season, except when on national duty, for the first time in his career since his debut two years ago.
Kuldeep first topped the wickets chart in the Duleep Trophy with 17 scalps in three matches. He continued his impressive form in the Ranji Trophy, with 35 scalps in eight matches, emerging as Uttar Pradesh’ highest wicket-taker.
“That (playing full domestic season) has helped. If you’re the highest run-getter or wicket-taker, it gives you extra momentum when playing at a higher level,” Kuldeep said.
“If you’re not playing domestically, you lack something. If you’ve played throughout — Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, one-dayers, T20s and then India A — it really helps and that’s why I’m confident this time around.”
His domestic showings earned him a dream debut in the final Test against Australia in Dharamsala, where he claimed four for 68 to help the hosts win the series 2-1. With so many cricketers favouring the slam-bang format, Kuldeep feels the longest format is where the real challenge lies. “IPL has given me lots of fame, and I’m thankful to the Kolkata Knight Riders management for trusting me. However, Tests are the where skills are tested,” he admitted.
The country’s first chinaman bowler has also impressed in this year’s IPL. He has played seven out KKR’s eight matches thus far, having played only three times previously. With eight wickets, India’s 288th Test player also did the star turn with the ball against Rising Pune Supergiant on Wednesday. His figures of 2/31 in four overs ensured Pune didn’t cross the 200-run mark, likely at one stage.
With MS Dhoni and Steve Smith at the crease, it appeared difficult for a spinner to bowl the 18th over. But the 22-year-old managed, and how! Conceding only five runs, Kuldeep picked up the prized scalp of Dhoni and Manoj Tiwary, both stumpings. He became the second bowler in IPL history to achieve that feat.
What was most impressive was that the former India captain had tonked him for a six the previous over. “As a spinner, I believe my job is to soak in pressure and get wickets. Bowling the 18th over in a T20 game is always difficult. It’s obviously challenging to bowl to Dhoni bhai, and I was under pressure. But I wasn’t scared of getting whacked. I flighted the ball and fortunately it came off.”
The Kanpur lad has immense faith in his abilities and is not bothered about players being able to figure him out with increased exposure. He also admitted that he concentrated more on his stock ball than rely on variations for wickets.
“Wrong’un and flippers are all variations. You can bowl them in T20s to confuse batsmen. But I really believe in my chinaman bowling, because that’s my identity.”
ayantan@newindianexpress.com