Kuldeep Yadav at Idea Exchange: ‘I was shocked when Rohit & Virat bhai retired. You want the seniors to stay for the big series'

Indian Express

2 days ago

Indian star spinner Kuldeep Yadav on the upcoming India-England Test series, playing under Shubman Gill's captaincy and Delhi Capitals' inadequate performance in this season's IPL. The session was moderated by Devendra Pandey, Deputy Associate Editor, The Indian Express.
Devendra Pandey: You had taken seven wickets against England the last time you played them in Dharamshala. There are different conditions now but you must be confident?
Yes, I remember. Those were batting-friendly tracks and the games went to fourth or fifth days. The conditions will be different in England this time. We have to adapt quickly, considering how England players bat. I feel spinners will be in the game there.
Nihal Koshie: You have bowled against Joe Root, arguably the best Test batsman of this era. What are the challenges and plans?
It is challenging to bowl against him. I feel his batting, especially against spinners, is very good. He has great control and is a very important player in the England Test line-up. The field positioning is very crucial. I have planned how to bowl to him. He is a complete player, and has the sweep, slog-sweep, paddle, and reverse. He is in great control of his hands.
Devendra Pandey: There have been retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin and then Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Were you surprised?
I had an inkling that Ash bhai might retire due to his body. We used to have a lot of chats and once I remember, he put his hand on me and said, 'You will have to take responsibility in the future. You have to manage'. I used to feel a bit concerned that he doesn't leave and go. I was shocked when Rohit bhai and Virat bhai retired. You want your senior players to stay for big series such as this.
The responsibility is taken by the seniors and the youngsters feel free. That's how I used to feel. I'd approach them in case of any doubts. I have spent a lot of time with Ash bhai, discussing bowling and even field settings; we used to sit and talk. His exit is shocking to me as I was learning a lot from him. He would keep feeding me ideas.
Sandip G: You played most of your career with Rohit, Virat and Ashwin. How has your experience been with them?
I had a great understanding and bond with Rohit bhai. He used to look after me like an elder brother, even off the field. When bowling, he used to tell me clearly what he expected from me and whether I was delivering it or not. If he found that I was lagging somewhere, he used to tell me to put more effort on that aspect. He would clearly tell me the role he expected from me, and sometimes he used to scold me as well — little things that always lifted me in bad times and took great care of me.
I made my Test debut under Virat Kohli. He did not play the match (in 2017 against Australia in Dharamshala) but he handed me the cap. At that time, I was raw and not mature, but he handled me wonderfully, gave me the belief that I could be good in this format. He always supported me and I always enjoyed playing with him.
I played and learned a lot with Ashwin. He supported me a lot in the last three-four years during the comeback. He would keep telling me how I should bowl in a particular situation, plus about pace, revs and run-up — we used to talk about everything in terms of bowling.
Sandip G: In 2018, you played as the lone spinner at Lord's. Seven years later, how would you handle such a responsibility?
At that time I did not have much idea. When you are not mature, you keep going through the motions. Now I have become much better in controlling the game, setting up batsmen and approaching a particular situation. That time, I had belief in my bowling that I could bowl the wrong'un and the skidder etc, but did not have the understanding about how to bowl differently to each batsman, how I should set the field for different batsmen. Now I read batsmen much better and know where and how to bowl and what field to set.
On bowling against Joe Root | It is challenging. I feel his batting, especially against spinners, is very good. He has great control and is a very important player in the england test line-up. I have planned how to bowl to him
Venkata Krishna B: In the time you led the spin attack in limited-overs cricket, you have been waiting patiently in Tests. Now you enter the WTC cycle as the lead spinner. Is there added pressure?
I'm not thinking that way. In our team, we have (Ravindra) Jadeja as well. He has been playing since 2010 and he has got more experience than me. But in terms of leading the spin attack, I don't think it makes a huge difference. It doesn't create extra pressure. It is just normal. Whenever we play two spinners, it doesn't feel like 'this fellow is my senior'. Whenever I've played with Jadeja and Ash, we never thought someone is senior.
Venkata Krishna B: Your idol Shane Warne loved bowling with the Dukes ball. Having played just one Test with it before, how are you preparing for it ahead of the England tour?
I've started bowling with it. I've got the Dukes ball at home and I'm planning a couple of sessions. We also have two weeks before the series, so there is enough time to prepare. I don't think it will make a huge difference. It is just a change of ball. Obviously, the Dukes ball is a lot harder compared to the SG and the Kookaburra. Shape-wise, it is similar to SG. It will take two to three days to adjust, but I will definitely be allright by the time the Test series begins.
On acquiring control as a bowler | When you are not mature, you keep going through the motions. Now I have become much better in controlling the game . Now I read batsmen much better and know where and how to bowl and what field to set
Tushar Bhaduri: Delhi Capitals had a great start to the IPL season. Why did things go wrong thereafter?
All the facets of the game need to click in this format. Sometimes our batting collapsed and sometimes our bowling didn't do well. Both sides never performed together. When we had to score big, we didn't do so. We scored 160 on the Delhi wicket. We also lost close matches, like the one against Mumbai. We lost momentum, some matches were affected by rain, and the game at Dharamshala was stopped midway. In this competition where there are 10 good teams, if you make one or two mistakes, you quickly start going downhill. Momentum is like a wave. If you can ride it, things can go in your favour. But if you get on the wrong side, you can start losing games and close matches go against you.
Tushar Bhaduri: Shubman Gill is the new Test captain. What are your expectations as a bowler when a new captain takes over?
He should support me and include me in the XI for all matches, what else! A new captain has a lot of challenges and a lot on his mind. I don't have any expectations from a captain. My expectations are from myself. If I am playing, I should prepare myself thoroughly and give my best. He would have a lot of pressure on him, but there is no pressure on him from my side. He should lead the team with a free mind.
Sandeep Dwivedi: As the country's leading spinner, you have stood out with the white ball. How difficult has that been with bats getting bulkier, pitches dead and some batsmen just training to hit sixes?
The problem is we tend to get rid of our basics very quickly, more so when it comes to the T20 format. A bowler tends to quickly change his plans once a batsman starts attacking. They tend to start bowling faster or fuller. Basically they are thinking how they can avoid getting hit. This can work once in a while but not in the long run. The important thing in this format is to read the batsman's mind. Try to see what he expects you to bowl next and what shot he can try. The other important thing for a bowler in this format is the length. If you stick to the good-length area, it works. Once you have settled into a good length, you keep changing the line by reading the batsman. If you can do that, the format isn't that difficult for a bowler. This is a format where runs will be scored. But one should look to take wickets. This can create pressure on the batsmen. Like the ground in Delhi, where one needs to be aggressive and not bowl with the intention of not getting hit for a six. Attacking mindset, reading the batsman, keeping in mind his scoring areas — if these things are in focus, the load on a bowler's mind comes down.
Sandeep Dwivedi: Since reading the mind is important, you need to extensively prepare before a game. What's your process? Do you sit with the analyst for long before a game?
I don't like meetings, I feel no one should play with my mind. No one should tell me too many things or give me ideas. Then I'm not able to bowl like I do. I always want to do things my way. I have understood that even if I fail in a game, I would have collected some learnings. Earlier, I would think that I should not fail. But now, I am not afraid of failing. I tell myself 'it's okay, he has played well and so he will score'. But my takeaway would be 'now I know how this batsman scores, and that will help me the next time.'
Sandeep Dwivedi: How do you react when you are hit for a six in T20 cricket? Do you delete that memory from your mind or remember that stroke and plan your next ball?
What is important to know is on which delivery you have been hit for sixes. In case you bowl an overpitched ball or a short ball, you get hit for a six. That one can't do much. In case the batsman is stepping out and hitting you, that means he has hit a good ball for a six. You need to think and understand if he is hitting you straight for a six or he is slog-sweeping for a six. If he is hitting a slog-sweep six, I will bowl a ball wide outside off-stump or bowl into him to cramp him. In case he is hitting straight, I will turn the ball and pull the length back. If you are starting as a young spinner, you need to look to spin the ball, give it more revs so that you get dip on the ball. If you look at the top spinners over the years, this is what they have been doing.
On expectations from the new Indian test captain | A new captain has a lot of challenges and a lot on his mind. I don't have any expectations from a captain. My expectations are from myself. If I am playing, I should prepare myself thoroughly and give my best
Mayank Chaudhary: Ravindra Jadeja recently spoke about captaincy in Test cricket. He said a captain only needs to change two to three fielders, and it's not that complicated compared to T20s. Do you feel the same?
A T20 is a bit more challenging when it comes to captaining a team. You always have time to make a comeback in Test cricket. In T20 cricket, if you change something — or you don't — or if you are, let's say, one or two overs late in making a change, the whole outlook of the game can change. A T20 game is very fast, just like football. I'm sure Jaddu must have said the same thing in that context. In Tests, even if you have one bad day, you can lift the team with a better performance the next day.
Obviously, he (Jadeja) has played over 70-75 Tests and has experience leading a group, so he understands these things much better. I'm still new to these things… I've played only about 15 Tests.
Mayank Chaudhary: How seriously do you take your batting?
I try to contribute as much as I can, but not all my focus is on my batting. If I'm playing, I'll play as a bowler. No one will pick me for my batting. I've played as a genuine wicket-taker. Batting is just a plus.
Devendra Pandey: They say a person's identity is known by the city he comes from. You are from Kanpur; have its 'smart, shrewd, chatur' traits been imbibed by you?
It has helped a lot. If you are game-smart, it helps. A smart cricketer makes better decisions. You know how to escape being hit in bowling! But there have been a lot more 'street-smart' people than me here. Bahut tez (sharp) log jo insaan ko bech bhi dete hai (People who can even sell people!) I am not that chalaak (clever)! I used to move with some kids in U-15 and U-19 days jo coach ko hi bech dete (fool or scare coaches). I remember a player who was upset with the coach for not giving sufficient attention to him during training. During our U-15 days, a chap changed the way he looked, camouflaged himself, and covered himself in a bedsheet and blanket and stood outside the coach's room for half an hour. He waited for the coach to get up, see him, get scared and run for his life — which is exactly what happened. A lot of such incidents. If you survive here, wohi dhanya hai! (That itself is a blessing!)
Devendra Pandey: How do you handle your finances?
My father takes care of those things and I am just free to play. There are marriage talks of course and I guess it will happen soon. Not too soon as I have time. We plan to start a sports complex in Kanpur. The work has started where we will set up a cricket academy, football … and other sports as well. Hopefully, it will be ready in two-three years. Kids can have a future in sports, apart from cricket. I don't drive cars in Kanpur as it's one of the more dangerous places. Driving is difficult here. You will get 500 abuses in five minutes. I don't feel like driving here. A couple of years ago, I got a Mercedes. But I have driven it just once. Koi fayda nahi hai (no use). The roads aren't great either, potholes galore. When I come home, I just feel like relaxing at home.
Devendra Pandey: You come across as a happy, cheerful person. Did you get into fights growing up in Kanpur?
One should be happy. Keep expectations to your game; not from life in general. I am content, not greedy. Got to be peaceful.I don't fight. As a kid, I remember a boy who used to sit near me at school, he used to fight with me and bahut maara bhi hai mujhe (has hit me a lot too).
Sriram Veera: Tell us about your banter with Rinku Singh that earned you lot of criticism.
Oh yes. Rinku is ghar ka ladka. He has stayed at my home a lot. He is like a younger brother. He has been with me from U-16 days. People saw on camera that I hit him but let me tell you he is a kalakaar (character). What can I tell them about our relationship? People don't understand, and I can't keep explaining these things.